Economics of the Public Sector (4th Edition)

By Joseph E. Stiglitz & Jay K. Rosengard

Economics of the Public Sector, Fourth Edition is a leading textbook on public finance and the economic role of government. Published by W. W. Norton & Company, this authoritative work examines how governments raise revenue, allocate resources, and influence economic outcomes through taxation, spending, regulation, and public policy.

Written by Nobel Laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz and Jay K. Rosengard, the book blends rigorous economic theory with real-world policy analysis. It covers market failures, public goods, externalities, income redistribution, social insurance, and the political economy of public decision-making, making it ideal for undergraduate and graduate public finance courses.

What This Book Does

This book explains why governments intervene in markets, how public-sector policies are designed, and how taxation and expenditure decisions affect efficiency, equity, and economic growth.

Key Features of the 4th Edition

• Comprehensive coverage of public finance and government intervention
• Clear analysis of market failure, public goods, and externalities
• In-depth treatment of taxation theory and tax policy
• Discussion of income distribution, social insurance, and welfare programs
• Global and comparative perspective on public-sector economics
• Written by a Nobel Prize–winning economist

Who Should Use This Book?

• Undergraduate and graduate economics students
• Public finance and public policy learners
• Students of political economy and development economics
• Policy analysts and government professionals
• Educators teaching public economics courses

Why It’s Essential

• Classic, widely adopted textbook in public economics
• Balances economic theory with applied policy analysis
• Addresses efficiency, equity, and government decision-making
• Authored by a Nobel laureate in economics

The definitive introduction to the economics of government and public policy.
Order today from BooksGoat and master public-sector economics.

Product Details

• ISBN-13: 9780393925227
• Edition: 4th
• Authors: Joseph E. Stiglitz; Jay K. Rosengard
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Format: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Availability: In Stock
• Shipping: Free Shipping

Table of Contents (Highlights)

• Introduction to the Public Sector
• Market Failure and the Role of Government
• Public Goods and Externalities
• Taxation: Principles and Practice
• Income Distribution and Social Welfare
• Social Insurance and Government Spending
• Political Economy of Public Policy
• Public Finance in a Global Context

FAQs

• Is this book suitable for undergraduate courses? Yes, it is widely used in undergraduate public finance and public economics courses.
• Does it include real-world policy examples? Yes, it integrates theory with applied policy analysis and case discussions.
• Is it written from a global perspective? Yes, it includes international and comparative public-sector examples.