The general objective of the course is that of offering to the students the basic theoretical and institutional knowledge and the necessary instruments for the comprehension of:

- the role of government in the economy and the main functions of the public sector in a market economy, with both a positive and a normative approach;

- the composition of public spending;

- the main taxes in Italy;

- the activity of sub-central governments.

The suggested topics investigate the reasons of public intervention in the economy, its shortcomings, the theory of taxation, the main spending programs that compose a welfare state and the main theoretical aspects of fiscal decentralization.