This book is mainly aimed at students of economics departments of Greek universities and covers a significant part of the subject matter of Public Economics and Fiscal Policy. A thorough study of the textbook assumes that the reader has basic knowledge of microeconomics and macroeconomics, which students acquire in the first two years of their university studies. Public Economics is a branch of economics that examines the problems of the public economic sector, while fiscal policy examines the effects that various policies can have on economic activity and social welfare.
This book analyzes the objectives of public authorities and the means used to achieve these objectives. The means used by public authorities to achieve their goals, especially fiscal means, have a catalytic effect on the behavior of private entities. Therefore, the analysis of the effects of fiscal means on the economic behavior of private entities is an integral part of the study of public economics and fiscal policy. The reader of this book is introduced to contemporary issues in public economics and fiscal policy and can further study topics of particular interest.
Most books available in the Greek language on this subject mainly deal with the theoretical or even mathematical analysis of the topics. The theoretical development is necessary for the presentation of the basic concepts of Public Economics. However, the contribution of this book to Greek literature lies in the fact that the analysis of individual topics is accompanied by a careful presentation of empirical evidence that supports or does not support the theoretical assumptions, thus greatly enhancing the theoretical approach. By presenting real-world applications, empirical examples, and the policies followed in each case, every time a new topic is discussed, it is placed within the context of policy environment. In this way, it helps the reader to better understand the problems of the public economic sector and ways to solve them.