Part 1. Perspectives on the role of government in the economy -- 1. The public sector in the economy -- 2. Benchmark model of the economy : positive and normative approaches -- 3. Public goods and externalities -- 4. Imperfect competition -- 5. Equity and social welfare -- 6. Public choice theory -- Part 2. Public Expenditure -- 7. Public expenditure and growth -- 8. Poverty and inequality in south Africa : fiscal and social policy issues -- 9. Cost-benefit analysis -- Part 3. Taxation -- 10. Introduction to taxation and tax equity -- 11. Tax efficiency, administrative efficiency and flexibility -- 12. Income taxation -- 13. Taxation of wealth -- 14. Taxes on goods and services and tax reform -- Part 4. Fiscal and social policy -- 15. Fiscal policy -- 16. Public debt and debt management -- Part 5. Intergovernmental fiscal relations -- 17. Fiscal federalism.