Fiscal Reform and Development

Subject 730-789 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.
Prerequisites: N.A.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

A/Prof Miranda Stewart
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Understand the link between governmental tax and expenditure policy, otherwise known as fiscal policy, and development
  • Understand the goals of fiscal reform in the context of broader development goals
  • Have a good general understanding of tax and spending mechanisms and policy
  • Understand international and domestic processes of fiscal reform, and the institutions and experts involved in fiscal reform for development
  • Be able to analyse critically some key blueprints for fiscal reform in developing countries, including Letters of Intent and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs), developed by countries together with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund
  • Be able to locate resources in respect of fiscal reform and development both generally and for particular countries, especially online resources
  • Be able to analyse issues in fiscal reform and make recommendations in a particular development context.

Syllabus:

This subject will provide an overview of fiscal systems, policy and law design principles and will then examine a number of specific fiscal issues in development. It will incorporate case studies of fiscal reform projects and issues for particular developing countries.

Principal topics will include:

  • Budgets, including fiscal balance or deficit; tax mix, statistics and structures; expenditure mechanisms, statistics and policy; and fiscal reform goals
  • Fiscal reform policy principles, including efficiency, equity, administrability and budget constraints
  • Tax law design and drafting fundamentals, including reviewing examples of tax laws
  • Specific fiscal reform issues, including tax incentives for regional or international investment; requirements to cut expenditures so as to meet budget constraints; introduction of a Value Added Tax; and administrative reform
  • Domestic and international processes of fiscal reform, including the political dimension.
Assessment:
  • Take-home examination (100%) (23-26 May)
    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (3 July) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 730-789Fiscal Reform and DevelopmentMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2008

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Understand the link between governmental tax and expenditure policy, otherwise known as fiscal policy, and development
  • Understand the goals of fiscal reform in the context of broader development goals
  • Have a good general understanding of tax and spending mechanisms and policy
  • Understand international and domestic processes of fiscal reform, and the institutions and experts involved in fiscal reform for development
  • Be able to analyse critically some key blueprints for fiscal reform in developing countries, including Letters of Intent and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs), developed by countries together with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund
  • Be able to locate resources in respect of fiscal reform and development both generally and for particular countries, especially online resources
  • Be able to analyse issues in fiscal reform and make recommendations in a particular development context.

Syllabus:

This subject will provide an overview of fiscal systems, policy and law design principles and will then examine a number of specific fiscal issues in development. It will incorporate case studies of fiscal reform projects and issues for particular developing countries.

Principal topics will include:

  • Budgets, including fiscal balance or deficit; tax mix, statistics and structures; expenditure mechanisms, statistics and policy; and fiscal reform goals
  • Fiscal reform policy principles, including efficiency, equity, administrability and budget constraints
  • Tax law design and drafting fundamentals, including reviewing examples of tax laws
  • Specific fiscal reform issues, including tax incentives for regional or international investment; requirements to cut expenditures so as to meet budget constraints; introduction of a Value Added Tax; and administrative reform
  • Domestic and international processes of fiscal reform, including the political dimension.
  • Take-home examination (100%) (23-26 May)
    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (3 July) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
N.A.N.A.24 - 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.A/Prof Miranda StewartLawFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730789P12.500Semester 1NLawLaw730-789

Download PDF version.