Course guide of Public Sector Economics II (2261137)

Curso 2025/2026
Approval date: 16/06/2025

Grado (bachelor's degree)

Bachelor'S Degree in Economics

Branch

Social and Legal Sciences

Module

Sector Público

Subject

Economía del Sector Público II

Year of study

3

Semester

2

ECTS Credits

6

Course type

Compulsory course

Teaching staff

Theory

David Mark Epstein . Grupo: A

Practice

David Mark Epstein Grupos: 1 y 2

Timetable for tutorials

David Mark Epstein

Email
  • Monday de 10:30 a 12:30 (C115 - Facultad Cc. Ee. y Empresariales)
  • Wednesday de 10:30 a 12:30 (C115 - Facultad Cc. Ee. y Empresariales)

Prerequisites of recommendations

Although officially no prerequisites are necessary, it is highly recommended to have taken and passed "Economics of the Public Sector I" of the Bachelor's Degree in Economics.

In the case of using AI tools for the development of the subject, the student must adopt an ethical and responsible use of them. The recommendations contained in the document ‘Recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence in the UGR’ published in this location: https://ceprud.ugr.es/formacion-tic/inteligencia-artificial/recomendaciones-ia#contenido0 must be followed.

Brief description of content (According to official validation report)

  • Income tax.
  • Company tax.
  • Wealth tax.
  • Indirect tax: VAT.
  • Theoretical aspects of fiscal decentralisation.
  • Social Security in Spain.

Objectives (Expressed as expected learning outcomes)

The student will learn/know:

  • The most relevant features of tax systems
  • The economic connotations of the most relevant taxes in the tax system.
  • Tax instruments with economic impact and their alternatives
  • Economic foundations of the theory of decentralisation.
  • The structure and sustainability of the social security system.

Detailed syllabus

Theory

  • Chapter 1. General concepts and theory of taxation: 1. Introduction. 2. Taxation principles. 3. Analysis of comparative tax systems. 4. Tax evasion and tax inspection.
  • Chapter 2. Income tax: 1. Introduction. 2. Income and ability to pay. 3. Taxable income. 4. Income tax and progressivity. 5. Taxpaying unit. 6. Income tax and inflation.
  • Chapter 3. Corporate income tax: 1. Introduction. 2. Structure of the tax. 3. Corporate income tax and dividend policy. 4. Corporate income tax and the debt/equity ratio. 5. Corporate tax and investment. 6. Corporate tax and inflation. 7. Income tax and corporate tax integration.
  • Chapter 4. Wealth taxation: 1. Wealth tax. 2. Inheritance and gift tax. 3. Transfer tax. 4. Tax on real estate.
  • Chapter 5. Indirect Taxation: VAT: 1. Introduction. 2. Selective excise duties. 3. General turnover taxes. 4. Value added taxes.
  • Chapter 6. Social Security: 1. Introduction. 2. Historical background. 3. The financing of Social Security. 4. The pension system. 5. The debate on the reform of Social Security.

Practice

Weekly seminars

Coursework

Multiple choice tests

Presentations of students' work

Use of databases such as the OECD

Bibliography

Basic reading list

Gruber, J. Public Finance & Public Policy, 2017. Worth Publishers, New York USA

Complementary reading

  • Albi, E. García Ariznavarreta, J.L. (2007). Sistema fiscal español. Barcelona. Editorial Ariel Economía.
  • Bustos, A. (2007). Lecciones de Hacienda Pública. Colex. Madrid.
  • García Villarejo, Salinas Sánchez, J. (1994) Manual de Hacienda Pública General y de España. Tecnos. Madrid.
  • Giménez Montero, A. (2002): Federalismo Fiscal. Teoría y Práctica, Tirant lo Blanch, Valencia.
  • Gonzalo y González, L. (2004): El sector Público en España. Editorial Dykinson, Madrid.
  • Montero Granados, Roberto. (2015). Economía del Sector Público II: Análisis económico de la recaudación de impuestos. Ed. Técnica Avicam. Granada.
  • Domínguez, J.M. (2004). Ejercicios de Hacienda Pública. Pirámide. Madrid.
  • Moreno Moreno, C. y Paredes Gómez, R. (2006): Fiscalidad individual y Empresarial. Ejercicios resueltos. Editorial Cívitas. Madrid.

Recommended links

The Economist magazine

BBC Podcast "Untaxing" with Dan Neidle

El Pais (in English and Spanish)

Assessment methods (Instruments, criteria and percentages)

Ordinary assessment session

Participatory class attendance: 10%

Coursework: 10%

Multiple choice tests: 10%

Classroom presentations: 10%

Final exam: 60%

Extraordinary assessment session

The examination may include essays, multiple choice and oral examination 100%

Single final assessment

The examination may include essays, multiple choice and oral examination 100%

Students should apply in advance to the Director of the department (see procedure and requirements in http://economia-aplicada.ugr.es/ to apply for this mode of evaluation)

Additional information

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS:

The Department of Applied Economics http://economia-aplicada.ugr.es/, in accordance with the Regulations for the attention to students with disabilities and other specific educational support needs (approved by the Governing Board of the University of Granada on 20th September 2016) will promote the right to education under conditions of equal opportunities to students with disabilities and other specific educational support needs. The necessary assistance actions will be established to achieve their full and effective inclusion, guaranteeing their right to inclusive education, in accordance with the principles of non-discrimination, equal opportunities and universal accessibility, so that they can achieve the maximum possible development of their personal and , in any case, the objectives established in general for all students. Likewise, according to article 11 current Rules for Assessment of students at the University of Granada, the evaluation systems will be adapted to students with disabilities or other specific needs of educational support, guaranteeing in any case their rights and favouring their inclusion in university studies.

Further information: Gestión de servicios y apoyos (https://ve.ugr.es/servicios/atencion-social/estudiantes-con-discapacidad).

Información de interés para estudiantado con discapacidad y/o Necesidades Específicas de Apoyo Educativo (NEAE): Gestión de servicios y apoyos (https://ve.ugr.es/servicios/atencion-social/estudiantes-con-discapacidad).

Software Libre

R and R Studio