This textbook provides a thorough treatment of all the central topics in public economics. Aimed at senior undergraduate and graduate students, it will also be invaluable to professional economists and to those teaching in the field. The book is entirely self-contained, giving all the equilibrium theory and welfare economics needed to understand the analyses. The author covers the Arrow-Debreu economy, welfare economics and the measurement of inequality and poverty which lay the foundations and emphasise the important role played by information. Within the competitive economy, he examines commodity taxation, income taxation and tax reform in a certain environment. He goes on to study the public economics of uncertainty, and then treats public goods, externalities, imperfect competition and tax evasion as departures from the standard competitive assumptions and looks at their implication for public economics derived.

‘This is the most comprehensive up-to-date exposition of the modern theory of public economics … A natural reference for any student or scholar in the field.’

Eytan Sheshinski - Hebrew University of Jerusalem

‘As an introduction to the methods and content of standard public economics the book is excellent. Its comprehensive coverage will be particularly appreciated by post-graduate students, but practising economists in all areas will value it as a reference. Highly recommended.’

Simon Vicary Source: The Economic Journal