LABOUR, WELFARE AND ECONOMICS

The aim of this course, consistent with the objectives of the master's degree, is to develop a basic understanding of the main topics in the economics of the welfare state. The course illustrates existing main welfare programs, also from an international comparison perspective.
Students are expected to be able to define central concepts and apply these in basic discussions about the role of the state and the individual in the provision of welfare (in terms of efficiency, social justice, and equity) and some of the major issues in the design and financing of welfare state provisions. Moreover, the students need to be able to apply concepts and theories to practical domestic and global policy debates. Emphasis will be placed on income inequality, poverty, and social exclusion and their measurement methods.

1. 1. Knowledge and comprehension skills:
1.1. to understand the motivations of public intervention through the theoretical framework of Welfare economics
1.2. to understand the effects of monetary transfers versus in-kind transfers
1.3. to understand the relationships between spending programs and the taxation system

2. Applied knowledge and comprehension skills:
2.1. to know how to use national and international database
2.2. to be able to apply concepts and theories to practical domestic and global policy debates
2.3 to be able to measure poverty traps

3. Use of independent judgment:
3.1. to interpret the motivations of public intervention;
3.2. to understand the effects of welfare programs on agents' economic choices;
3.3. to consider economic issues through analytical methods.

You are expected to be comfortable with knowledge of English.

1. The welfare state
Welfare programs
Design and effects of Welfare programs
Money transfers versus in-kind benefits

2. Social assistance expenditures
Selective, universal and in-kind programs
Measuring income inequality, poverty, and social exclusion
Poverty traps

3. Healthcare systems
Health systems and financing models: the Beveridge model, the Bismark model, the OOF model, and the national health insurance model
Determinants of health
How to measure health inequalities

Ferrera, M. Le politiche sociali, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2019.
Bosi, P. Corso di scienza delle finanze, capitolo VIII La spesa per il welfare (pp. 439-590), Il Mulino, Bologna (ottava edizione).
Artoni, R. Lezioni di scienza delle finanze, Parte terza, capitoli X. I servizi sociali e XI. Il sistema sanitario, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2003.

Additional teaching material is made available in Moodle.

The exam is written and involves theoretical questions, graphical analyses and numerical exercises.

There is no oral exam.

The course is organized in lectures, and classroom exercises, with Active Learning sessions guided by the teacher during the course and individual study.
Students are encouraged to attend classes actively, reading the book's chapters before the class and doing the exercises (available on the Moodle platform).

Italian