PP4J5 Half Unit
Fiscal Governance and Budgeting
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Joachim Wehner
Availability
This course is available on the Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-Sciences Po), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo), MSc in Political Science (Political Science and Political Economy), MSc in Public Policy and Administration, Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
Priority given to School of Public Policy students. Students from outside of the School of Public Policy should submit a statement in support of their request.
Deadline for application: 9am on the Monday of Autumn Term week 1 (including requests from School of Public Policy students). We aim to inform students of the outcome of their request by 12noon the following day, Tuesday of Autumn Term week 1.
For queries contact: mpp@lse.ac.uk
Course content
This course examines contemporary issues in fiscal governance and public budgeting in OECD countries and elsewhere. The focus is on executive and legislative actors and the institutional structures within which they make budgetary choices. Following an introduction to theoretical approaches to the study of budgeting, topics include medium-term frameworks, top-down budgeting, fiscal rules and fiscal councils, performance budgeting, legislative budgeting, fiscal decentralisation, budget transparency, audit and accountability.
Teaching
30 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
This course is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars totalling a minimum of 30 hours across Autumn Term. This year teaching will be delivered in person where possible and where conditions allow.
Formative assessment
Students are expected to produce one formative essay in Autumn Term as practice for the exam.
Indicative reading
- Alesina, A, C Favero and F Giavazzi (2019). Austerity: When It Works and When It Does Not (Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press).
- Blyth, M (2013). Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea (Oxford, Oxford University Press).
- Hallerberg, M, R Strauch, and J von Hagen, (2009). Fiscal Governance in Europe (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press)
- Allen, R, R Hemming, and B Potter, eds (2013). The International Handbook of Public Financial Management (New York, NY, Palgrave Macmillan)
- Cangiano, M, T Curristine, and M Lazare, eds (2013). Public Financial Management and Its Emerging Architecture (Washington DC, International Monetary Fund).
Assessment
Exam (85%), duration: 180 Minutes in the January exam period
Policy brief (15%)
The coursework (worth 15%) will consist of a Policy Exercise where students will prepare and deliver a presentation which will be carried out in groups. The e-exam (85%) will be held in the January exam period.
Key facts
Department: School of Public Policy
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: Unavailable
Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills