Learning Results
Understand and economically justify why State intervention in the economy should occur. Study the State
Budget from its organization to its approval, as well as to classify public revenues. Characterize and compare
the Portuguese fiscal system with other international fiscal systems. Study the repercussions of the European
integration on public finance, namely regarding the evolution of the public debt in the framework of a single
currency and fiscal harmonization.
Program
I – Introduction
1. Relationship between the State and the Economy – historical evolution
2. Public economy and public finance
II – State intervention
1. Market failure
2. Efficiency and equity
3. Macroeconomic goals
III – State Budget
1. Budget notion
2. State budget functions
3. Rules for budget organization
3. Budgetary balance – the several concepts of balance
4. Building, discussion and approval of the budget
5. Budget execution and control
6. The budget as an economic policy instrument
IV – Public expenditure
1. Classification of public expenditure
2. Evolution of public expenditure
3. Economic effects of public expenditure
V – Public revenues
1. Property revenues
2. Tax
3. Taxes
4. The public credit revenues – the public debt
VI – The repercussions of the European integration on the Portuguese public finances
1. An overview of the budgetary policy
2. The budgetary policy in the European Union
3. The impact of fiscal harmonization
Internship(s)
NAO
Bibliography
1. Attendance regime: Lecture-practice classes (LP)
2. Evaluation method: Two distinct evaluation methods
1) Mixed Evaluation (ME) = 50% Continuous evaluation (CE) +50% Final exam (FE)
(Minimum grade required on final exam FE: 7,5 values)
CE – Students will be evaluated throughout the semester regarding attendance, dedication and the work
developed in the framework of the curricular unit. In order to obtain a grade in the context of continuous
evaluation, students should develop a thematic work which will be presented during classes.
2) Final Evaluation (FE) = 100%Final Exam
At the end of the semester the student may always opt by FE method.