Class Public Finance

The Unit Public Finance integrated in the public law domain is focused on the analysis of Public finance law with particulae emphasis on budgetary law. It aims at providing students knowledge and understanding of the State Budget as a crucial instrument for State operation on the one hand, and as an instrument of macroeconomic policy on the other, adopting an interdisciplinary and multilevel approach that articulates the EU, national and local levels under the new format initiated by the 2011 reform of the Growth and Stability Pact and the European Semester. This enables students to acquire an updated and practical view about the budgetary process through the knowledge of rules but also of the dynamics of the political process and the cooperation dynamics between different State organs.

Not applicable

Introduction . Concept of Public Finance. Paradigm evolution: from neutral to active finances. Finance activity. Concept. Market failures, public goods and externalities. Relationship between political power, political cycle and public finance. Public Finance decision-making and institutions .Internal structure of the public sector. Portuguese Public Finance Constitution. International conditioning factors of public finance. Globalization and impact on State finances. The EU: Growth and stability Pact and its implications. Public expenditure and revenue. Tipology; economic and social effects. State Budget .Concept. Functions. Principles and rules. State Budget structure and contents. Budget cycle:approval, implementation; control. Jurisdictional control: the role of the Court of Auditors. Public Debt .Concept. Structure. Management strategies. Local Finances

Knowledge Cafe sessions to discuss specific themes from a problem-solving perspective. Study visit to a local government Production of short papers on specific controversial themes of public finance to stimulate problem solving and policy-oriented thinking.

SOUSA, Domingos Pereira de, Finanças Públicas e Direito Financeiro (2 volumes), Lisboa: Quid Juris, 2017. FFRANCO, António de Sousa, Finanças Públicas e Direito Financeiro , Almedina, reimpressão 2012,em volume único MARTINS, Maria d' Oliveira, 2019, Lições de Finanças Públicas e Direito Financeiro, 4ª ed., Almedina, Coimbra.