Public Sector Economics

The Public Sector Economics tutorial explains how the ‘invisible hand’ of the market is tempered by the ‘visible hand’ of government in the mixed economy of both private and public sectors adopted by most of nations. The course gives you the opportunity to examine the reasons for government intervention in the free market economy and the various forms in which it occurs. Students will consider the different ways through which governments influence the behaviour of individuals, firms and markets. Emphasis will be on the study of real-world applications in particular current United Kingdom and other European Union economies and governments. Topics include the ‘Welfare State’ and capitalism, nationalisation vs. privatisation and the ‘public good’. Students must have studied an Introduction to Economics, or its equivalent, to be accepted onto this programme.