The public sector in the economy -- Benchmark model of the economy: positive and normative approaches -- Public goods and externalities -- Imperfect competition -- Equity and social welfare -- Public choice theory -- Public expenditure and growth -- Poverty, fiscal incidence and service delivery in South Africa -- Social security -- Cost-benefit analysis -- Introduction to taxation and tax equity -- Tax efficiency, administrative efficiency and flexibility -- Income taxation -- Taxation of wealth -- Taxes on goods and services, and tax reform -- Fiscal policy -- Public debt and debt management -- Fiscal federalism.