Public Finance

by Harvey S. Rosen

Harvey S. Rosen introduces readers to the latest research in Public Finance. With highlights from the Bush administration, updates to tax laws, and discussions of up-to-date examples, Rosen's approach encompasses important revisions to the Seventh Edition, with current changes to government policy.

Genres: Economics, Textbooks, Business, Politics, Nonfiction, Finance, Academic

641 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Amit Mishra]

The book does deal with traditional public finance rather takes a modern approach to define the complexities in the easy language of mathematics. The book has used some econometric method as well. The language is easy and details provided is pretty lucrative and easy to understand.

[Anne]

Probably the best book that can help anyone understand (or explain to others) government financing. Anyone who is a part of the "Tea Party" or considering it MUST read this and open their eyes; public budgeting isn't as simple as "smaller government, less taxes!" because of numerous intricate and irreducible factors that cannot be simplified down to a misspelled protest sign. Multiplier effects, production possibility frontiers, etcetera.

Rosen does an excellent job explaining many parts of government accounting. This is not a difficult read, but prepare to have some reference material handy if it's been a while since your freshman-level accounting and macroeconomics classes. I continually find myself digging up this book again and again to get a better grasp on our economic situation with every new policy passed.

Probably the most relevant chapters concerning our modern world are the ones explaining Public Goods; you always hear how "inefficient" government is and how everything should be privatized. However, the government steps in because of a market failure. There are many reasons for a market failure, some are due to profiteering businesses (the polluting firm that avoids absorbing negative externalities if they can), and some are simply the nature of the good (how can a private firm collect from the users of their streetlights if it's impossible to prevent streetlight use by non-payers?). Rosen gives empirical reasoning why certain goods may be better off left to private firms over government, and why certain goods or services should not be handled by private firms but rather, given to the government.

[Kohl Gill]

I owe the vast majority of my facility with economics to Rosen. This text is an invaluable introduction to economics at the governmental level, with plenty of references to relatively current real-life situations. Even if you don't like economics, but are interested in how government works and how to make it work better, this is a great book for you.

[Aryan Prasad]

Written in a somewhat informal style this textbook is perhaps the best introduction to Public finance. The book examines each topic in equal detail.

[Hakija]

A must read for every student of economics!

[Denise DeRocher]

I hate public finance, but this book allowed me to understand the field - I recommend it for anyone who may enjoy this subject??!!!

[Afzal]

Uhhhj

[Jenna]

Favorite textbook I ever read, for one of my favorite classes in grad school.

[Matt]

Computers are fun to type on.

[Can]

Good book but very basic.