Universität Wien

040923 KU Public Economics (MA) (2026S)

8.00 ECTS (4.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Exam dates:
- Tuesday 23.06.2026 15:00 - 16:30 (mandatory presence)
- Wednesday 08.07.2025 15:00 - 16:30 (retake - optional)

  • Monday 02.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 03.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 09.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 10.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 16.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 17.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 23.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 24.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 13.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 14.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 20.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 21.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 27.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 28.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 04.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 05.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 11.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 12.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Tuesday 26.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 01.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 02.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 08.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 09.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Tuesday 09.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 15.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 16.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Monday 22.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 12 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 23.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Wednesday 08.07. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 7 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

*Prerequisites:*

Familiarity with game theory (intermediate undergraduate level) and microeconomics (advanced undergraduate level) is expected. If you have a sufficient level of familiarity, you should feel very comfortable with the following two background recommendations:

1) Minimal game theory background: Gibbons’ A Primer in Game Theory, Chapter 1, Sections 1.1 and 1.2., or equivalent. Alternative: weeks 1 and 2 of the Coursera lecture from the University of British Columbia (Jackson et al, Game Theory).

2) Minimal microeconomics background: Varian’s Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach (8th edition), Chapters 2 to 6, 14 to 16, and 19 to 22 (i.e., consumer theory, producer theory, and Walrasian equilibrium), or equivalent. Some specialised concepts from consumer theory will be used extensively and presented in class: income expansion path (a.k.a. wealth expansion path), price offer curve, compensated demand function, Slutsky equation, equivalent and compensating variations.

*Course Outline:*

What do we really mean when we say that taxation is “distortionary”? How do we make sure to minimize tax induced distortions? Should the provision of public goods be subsidized by the State? Are taxes, carbon markets, and quotas adequate means to tackle climate change? If so, when, why, and how do they work? What is “economic justice”? Should we strive to bring it about and, if so, how can we do so?

The standard microeconomics toolbox (game theory, consumption and production theory, equilibrium theory), when properly put to use, gives partial answers to the questions listed above. In this seminar we will learn to derive microeconomists’ answers to these questions and to critically examine them. We will also formalize important economic arguments for and against specific types of state intervention, and connect these to the value judgments they explicitly or implicitly involve.

Throughout the term, important skills will be trained: equilibrium analysis, within-the-model reasoning, out-of-the-model reasoning, and normative thinking. At the end of the term, successful participants will have a sense of the limits and benefits of using models to answer questions of public policy.

Assessment and permitted materials

The assessment will be based on three items: a short presentation (25%), class participation (15%), and a final exam (60%). Further details will be given during the first meeting.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The presentation is evaluated on a scale from 1 to 5. Details will be available on Moodle.

Class participation is evaluated on a scale from 1 to 5. Details will be available on Moodle.

At the final exam, you will be in a position to earn 60 points. The following scale will be used for conversion into a score between 1 and 5:
53-60 points, 1
45-52 points, 2
37-44 points, 3
29-36 points, 4
28 points or less, 5.

A positive evaluation requires from students that they achieve a pass grade (4) in *each* of the three scoring items (presentation, class participation, final exam).

Examination topics

*Part I – Efficiency*
I.a. Financing the state: efficiency costs of taxation.
I.b. Justifying state intervention: public goods and externalities.

*Part II – Distributive Justice*
II.a. Financing the state: tax incidence.
II.b. Justifying state intervention: redistribution.

Reading list

Readings will be made available on MOODLE in due time. All assigned readings will be in English.

Association in the course directory

E.1.5., E.1.6.

Last modified: Mo 27.07.2026 09:26