The course aims to provide students with the analytical tools and information necessary for understanding and evaluating the problems posed by public intervention in the economy, by collective choices with an economic content and the consequences on allocative, distributive and macroeconomic perspectives . Particular attention is paid to the economic theory of taxation, and to the functioning of the Italian tax system.
Curriculum
teacher profile teaching materials
1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Programme
The course covers the following topics:1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
Core Documentation
The required reading materials are as follows:1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Type of delivery of the course
LecturesAttendance
Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommendedType of evaluation
The examination consists of a written test with three open-ended questions covering the entire course syllabus. The grade awarded for the written test may be accepted without taking the oral examination. To be admitted to the oral examination, students must have passed the written test. teacher profile teaching materials
1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Programme
The course covers the following topics:1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
Core Documentation
The required reading materials are as follows:1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Type of delivery of the course
LecturesAttendance
Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommendedType of evaluation
The examination consists of a written test with three open-ended questions covering the entire course syllabus. The grade awarded for the written test may be accepted without taking the oral examination. To be admitted to the oral examination, students must have passed the written test. teacher profile teaching materials
1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Programme
The course covers the following topics:1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
Core Documentation
The required reading materials are as follows:1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Type of delivery of the course
LecturesAttendance
Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommendedType of evaluation
The examination consists of a written test with three open-ended questions covering the entire course syllabus. The grade awarded for the written test may be accepted without taking the oral examination. To be admitted to the oral examination, students must have passed the written test. teacher profile teaching materials
1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Programme
The course covers the following topics:1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
Core Documentation
The required reading materials are as follows:1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Type of delivery of the course
LecturesAttendance
Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommendedType of evaluation
The examination consists of a written test with three open-ended questions covering the entire course syllabus. The grade awarded for the written test may be accepted without taking the oral examination. To be admitted to the oral examination, students must have passed the written test. teacher profile teaching materials
1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Programme
The course covers the following topics:1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
Core Documentation
The required reading materials are as follows:1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Type of delivery of the course
LecturesAttendance
Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommendedType of evaluation
The examination consists of a written test with three open-ended questions covering the entire course syllabus. The grade awarded for the written test may be accepted without taking the oral examination. To be admitted to the oral examination, students must have passed the written test. teacher profile teaching materials
1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Programme
The course covers the following topics:1. Theoretical models of public intervention: welfare economics; new welfare economics; market failures;
2. Critical aspects of new welfare economics;
3. Alternative approaches to welfare economics for collective decision-making: the Musgrave model; the Lindahl model; the Johansen model; the Buchanan model;
4. The formation of collective decisions;
5. The theory of taxation;
6. Tax shifting and tax incidence;
7. The effects of taxation on choices between consumer goods, between work and leisure, and between consumption and saving;
8. The excess burden of taxation;
9. An introduction to the theory of optimal taxation;
10. An introduction to public choice theory.
Core Documentation
The required reading materials are as follows:1. Course notes prepared by the lecturer, available in PDF format;
2. Bosi, P. and Guerra, M. C., *I tributi nell'economia italiana*, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2026 edition, specifically the following chapters:
Chapter 3, excluding Sections 1.4 and 1.5;
Chapter 4, excluding Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4, 5, and 6;
Chapter 5, excluding Sections 2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7.4, 7.5, and 8;
Chapter 6, excluding Sections 4, 5, 6, 7.1, 7.2, and 8;
Chapter 8, excluding Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6;
Chapter 9, excluding Sections 2.3, 3.2, 4, and 5.2.
Type of delivery of the course
LecturesAttendance
Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommendedType of evaluation
The examination consists of a written test with three open-ended questions covering the entire course syllabus. The grade awarded for the written test may be accepted without taking the oral examination. To be admitted to the oral examination, students must have passed the written test.