Economics of Social Policies in the EU

Type of course: Compulsory for the specialization “International and European Political Economy”

NUMBER OF CREDITS ALLOCATED: 6 ECTS Credits

OBJECTIVE OF COURSE (EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES AND COMPETENCES TO BE ACQUIRED)

• Understanding of the main problems of EU countries in the field of Social Policy
• Use of tools derived from economic theory for the analysis of these problems
• Understanding of the evidence provided in quantitative and qualitative analyses in the field of Social Policy
• Comparative assessment of alternative social policies
• Predicting the outcomes of specific social policy measures
• Development of analytical and synthetic skill through the writing of a long essay
• Development of demonstration and debate skills through presentation of the main points of the long essay in the lectures

PREREQUISITES

There are no formal prerequisites, but it is recommended that students have prior basic knowledge of microeconomics and public economics.

COURSE CONTENTS

1. Economic foundations of Social Policy

2. The political economy of the welfare state

3. Typologies of the welfare state

4. Retirement pensions: Theory and practice in Greece and the EU

5. Public health care policies: Theory and practice in Greece and the EU

6. Unemployment insurance policies: Theory and practice in Greece and the EU

7. Anti-poverty policies: Theory and practice in Greece and the EU

RECOMMENDED READINGS

•   Barr N. «Economics of the Welfare State» (5th ed., 2012, Oxford University Press).
•   M. Matsaganis «Social policy at hard times» (2011, Kritiki, in Greek)
•   J. Yfantopoylos, D. Balourdos and K. Nikolopoulos «Economic and social dimensions of the welfare state» (2009, Gutenberg, in Greek)

TEACHING METHODS: Lectures and essay presentations

ASSESSMENT METHODS: Final written exam (70%), essay (30%)

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION: Greek