This course introduces students to empirical methods for policy evaluation and to different topics in the field of Migration economics. The module is arranged into two parts. In the lecture part, the basics of empirical methods are introduced. Important methods for empirical analysis, such as the basics of regression analysis, instrumental variables technique, matching estimator, differences-in-differences estimator, regression discontinuity designs, are covered. Each method will be discussed and illustrated with examples. In the seminar part, students will present and discuss the allocated research articles.

We discuss the role that political actors (voters, candidates, legislatures, interest groups, political parties, and media) play in policy determination. This topic is attracting increasing attention from economists. We will analyze the recent theoretical, empirical and experimental work on the topic.

We discuss the role that political actors (voters, candidates, legislatures, interest groups, political parties, and media) play in policy determination. This topic is attracting increasing attention from economists. We will analyze the recent theoretical, empirical and experimental work on the topic.

This course focuses on the government’s practices to raise revenue via taxation and deficit, and on the redistribution of those revenues. The course covers tax policy and inequality, with the special emphasis on current policy issues such as poverty, income tax reform, and budget deficits. The goal is to provide an understanding of the background of tax incidences, labor income taxes and transfers, and capital income taxation.

This graduate course brings together the latest research ideas and topics in public economics and political economy. The focus is primarily on theoretical work. The course consists of two parts. The first part covers topics in public economics such as the theory of public goods and the theory of optimal taxation. The second part addresses political economy issues such as political behavior (of voters, candidates, legislatures, interest groups, political parties, media) and political distortions (inefficient redistribution, career concerns, dynamic problems).