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 essential discussions about the role of the state and the individual in the provision of welfare in terms of efficiency, social justice, and equity, as well as some of the significant 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, as well as 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.

Good command of English to read the reference texts

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

Selected chapters from the following reference texts:
Barr, N. The Welfare State as Piggy Bank: Information, Risk, Uncertainty, and the Role of the State, Oxford University Press, 2001
Schüring and Loewe, Handbook on Social Protection Systems, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2021
Ferrera, M. Le politiche sociali, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2019.
Stefano Toso, Massimo Baldini, Disuguaglianza, Povertà e Politiche Pubbliche, Il Mulino, 2009.
Bosi, P. Corso di scienza delle finanze, capitolo VIII La spesa per il welfare (pp. 439-590), Il Mulino, Bologna (ottava edizione).
Artoni, R. Elementi di scienza delle finanze, Parte seconda: I servizi sociali. - VII. I servizi sociali. - VIII. Il sistema sanitario. - IX. Il sistema pensionistico, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2015.

Additional teaching material will be made available in Moodle.

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

There is no oral exam.

written

Evaluation Grid:
28-30L: Excellent command of the topics covered in class and in the reference texts; very good analytical skills and ability to apply formulas and quantitative tools; appropriate use of technical terminology.
26-27: Good knowledge of the topics covered in class and in the reference texts; good analytical skills and ability to apply formulas and quantitative tools; fair use of technical terminology.
24-25: Knowledge of the topics covered in class and in the reference texts is not always in-depth; decent analytical skills and application of formulas, but with occasional incorrect use of technical terminology.
22-23: Often superficial knowledge of the topics covered in class and in the reference texts; unclear exposition with deficiencies in technical terminology.
18-21: Occasionally incomplete knowledge of the topics covered in class and in the reference texts; barely sufficient analytical skills and application of formulas and quantitative tools; limited use of technical terminology.

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).

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments

Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development