Description
Public Economics 4e provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of public economics within a South African and Southern African context. Its emphasis is on developing students understanding of the theoretical issues pertaining to the role of government in a mixed economy, as it translates into expenditure on government functions. The conceptual framework for the book is that of a medium-sized, open developing economy, exposed to the forces of democratisation and globalisation.

Key features

• This text is uniquely Southern African
• It provides the student with an understanding of public goods and externalities, for example global warming
• Examples of how fiscal authorities use estimates of the structural budget balance to inform policy decisions
• Examples of the contribution of experimental games
• Inclusion of more self-assessment exercises and interesting comments in each chapter to emphasise topical issues.
• An updated discussion on competition policy
• A section on the effect of an income tax on savings
• A thoroughly revised analysis of fiscal polity
• Detailed discussions on topics such as property taxation, privatisation, different views on the macroeconomic role of fiscal policy
• South African competition policy explained through examples of high-profile
  cases of collusion
• Cross-references to and examples from countries making up the Southern African region
• Discussion of major negative externalities, such as global warming
• Analysis of the effect of a selective tax on income
• Pr ojections of bud

Readership
Senior undergraduate students within a focused area of Economics. It is offered as an elective at 3rd year and Honours level.