ECTS credits ECTS credits: 4.5
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 74.25 Hours of tutorials: 2.25 Expository Class: 18 Interactive Classroom: 18 Total: 112.5
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Applied Economics
Areas: Applied Economics
Center Faculty of Economics and Business Studies
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
TFiscal Federalism is a compulsory subject taught in the first semester of the fourth year of the Economics degree. Its teaching is part of the ongoing education in Public Finance, covered earlier in the third year. Once the fundamentals and key aspects of public sector financial activity have been acquired, this subject focuses on analyzing the justifications and outcomes of fiscal decentralization from an economic perspective.
The teaching begins with the theoretical foundations and basic instruments of fiscal federalism, combining the conceptual framework with the study of comparative international experiences. This approach allows for a deeper examination of the specific case of Spain, both at the regional and local levels, through an analysis that integrates historical evolution, current functioning, and the main challenges of the decentralized model.
In the final part of the subject, fiscal decentralization is placed within the broader process of the development of the Autonomous State and its impact on public management. The course is completed with a practical focus on the settlement of the main regional and local taxes, which helps reinforce applied knowledge and complements the study of other subjects on the Spanish tax system included in the degree.
1. The Theory of Fiscal Federalism: Fundamentals and Instruments
Introduction to the economic principles of fiscal federalism. Functions of different levels of government. Design of competencies and resource allocation.
2. Fiscal Federalism in the International Context
Comparative analysis of fiscal federalism models in different countries. Experiences of fiscal decentralization and their economic effects. Relevant lessons for the Spanish case.
3. The Autonomous Communities and the Regional Financing System
Structure and evolution of regional financing in Spain. Tax resources and transfers. Current issues and proposed reforms. Settlement of regional taxes.
4. Local Entities and the Local Financing System
Local financing system. Tax resources and transfers. Current issues and proposed reforms. Settlement of local taxes.
5. The Development of the Autonomous State
Institutional aspects, decentralization, and territorial cohesion. Impact on management and public services.
6. Recap and Extension
Integrated analysis of the current challenges of fiscal federalism in Spain.
Basic bibliography
- Albi, E. et al. (última edición). Economía Pública I, Ed. Ariel
-Cadaval , M. (2011): “Sistema de financiamento local e autonómico en España.” Unidade didáctica 4, USC.
-Cadaval, M., Fernández Leiceaga, X., y Lago Peñas, S. (2024): “ Economía política del federalismo fiscal español. A la espera de una reforma de la financiación autonómica”, 10 años de gestión pública intergubernamental en Iberoamérica, IEF. https://www.ief.es/docs/destacados/publicaciones/libros/hp/2022_10AGest…
-De la Fuente, A. (2023): Financiación autonómica: Una breve introducción, https://documentos.fedea.net/pubs/eee/eee2019-07.pdf
-Lago Peñas, S. (2021): 40 años de descentralización en España (1978-2018): Balance y perspectivas, FUNCAS. https://www.funcas.es/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Estudio-de-la-Fundaci%…
-Lago Peñas, S. (2023): “La deuda de las comunidades autónomas: evolución reciente y perspectivas”, Cuadernos de Información Económica, 293. https://www.funcas.es/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lago_Final.pdf
-Lago Peñas, S. y Vaquero, A. (2016): Descentralización y Sistema Tributario. Lecciones de la Experiencia Comparada, Fundación Impuestos y Competitividad, Madrid. https://static.fundacionic.com/2016/04/22115259/descentralizacion-y-sis…
-Ministerio de Hacienda (2017): Informe de la Comisión de Expertos para la Revisión del Modelo de Financiación Autonómica, Madrid. https://www.ief.es/docs/destacados/publicaciones/libros/lb/2018_Reforma…
Complementary Bibliography
- Lago, M.E., Lago-Peñas, S. y Martinez-Vazquez, J. (2024): “Side Effects in Designing Intergovernmental Grants” OECD Background Paper, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Santiago-Lago-Penas/publication/38…
- Martinez‐Vazquez, J., Lago‐Peñas, S. y Sacchi, A. (2017): “The Impact of Fiscal Decentralization: A survey”, Journal of Economic Surveys 31 (4), 1095-1129.
Basic Competencies
CB2. The student should be able to apply the knowledge acquired to their work or vocation professionally, and possess the necessary competencies typically demonstrated through the development and defense of arguments, as well as problem-solving within their area of study.
CB3. The student should have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data, usually within their area of study, in order to make judgments that include critical reflection on social, scientific, or ethical aspects.
CB4. The student should be able to communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialized and non-specialized audiences, using an appropriate register for each context.
CB5. The student should develop the learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
General Competencies
CG2. Be able to develop and defend arguments on economic issues at a general level and solve problems related to these issues by applying their knowledge of economic reality, theories, models, and scientific methods specific to economics.
CG5. Acquire general knowledge of economics and the learning skills necessary to continue studying and to pursue specialized studies in economics and other related areas, with a high degree of autonomy, as well as techniques for representing and presenting data in the discipline.
Transversal Competencies
CT1. Analytical and synthesis skills, applied to understanding and addressing complex situations in the field of economics.
CT4. Ability to search for, select, manage, and use relevant information effectively from diverse sources.
CT6. Ability to identify, formulate, and solve problems effectively, using appropriate methodologies and tools.
CT9. Development of autonomy in learning, taking responsibility for one’s own educational process, and being able to self-organize study and knowledge acquisition.
The teaching methodology combines various didactic strategies with the aim of facilitating learning. The lecture is used to present the fundamental concepts and provide a solid theoretical foundation. It is complemented by practical and interactive classes, with additional activities that allow students to connect with the practical and current reality of the public sector at the national, regional, and local levels. In the interactive sessions, the focus is on working with tax regulations for the settlement of regional and local taxes.
Finally, project-based or case-based learning is promoted, encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, and the direct application of theoretical content.
Students must be familiar with the virtual campus application and Teams, through which materials, tests, etc., will be shared. To do this, the use of RAI is required, as well as access to computer equipment (www.rai.usc.es/).
The evaluation system will be continuous and will combine different instruments to assess the degree of competence acquisition by the students. An exam will be held, composed of various sections, including multiple-choice questions, development questions, as well as problem-solving and practical exercises. Active participation in organized debates will also be taken into account, along with the systematic observation of academic performance throughout the course, valuing student engagement. The relative weight of the continuous assessment will be 30%, and the final exam will account for 70%.
work face to face
Exhibition classes 23
Small group classes 13
Small group or individual classes and tutoring 9
Total hours of face-to-face work in classroom 45
STUDENT'S PERSONAL WORK
Individual or group self-employed study 50
Writing exercises, conclusions or other works 7.5
Computer or practical activities 5
Recommended readings, library activities or the like 5
Total hours personal work. 67.5
It is recommended that students maintain continuous engagement with the in-person sessions, paying special attention to the teacher’s explanations and actively participating in the proposed activities. It is essential to complement the class content with the recommended readings, which help deepen the key concepts and contextualize the theory in practice. Additionally, attending scheduled activities, such as lectures or seminars, will contribute to a broader and more applied understanding of the subject. The rigorous preparation of assignments, exercises, and tasks will allow students to consolidate the knowledge acquired, which is an essential element in the process of learning and continuous assessment.
It should be noted that in cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or exams, the provisions set out in the Regulations will apply.
For the assessment of academic performance of students with an exemption status, an email must be sent to the course instructor indicating their personal details and the reason for the exemption.
Maria Cadaval Sampedro
- Department
- Applied Economics
- Area
- Applied Economics
- Phone
- 881811664
- maria.cadaval [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
Santiago Lago Peñas
Coordinador/a- Department
- Applied Economics
- Area
- Applied Economics
- santiago.lago.penas [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
| Tuesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom 29 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 16:00-17:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom 29 |
| 01.13.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 08 |
| 01.13.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom 08 |
| 01.13.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom 08 |
| 01.13.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLIS_03 | Classroom 08 |
| 01.13.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom C |
| 01.13.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom C |
| 01.13.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom C |
| 01.13.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLIS_03 | Classroom C |
| 06.23.2026 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 08 |
| 06.23.2026 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom 08 |
| 06.23.2026 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom 08 |
| 06.23.2026 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_03 | Classroom 08 |