Public economics 4e provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of public economics within a South African and Southern African context. Its emphasis is on developing students understanding of the theoretical issues pertaining to the role of government in a mixed economy, as it translates into expenditure on government functions. The conceptual framework for the book is that of a medium-sized, open developing economy, exposed to the forces of democratisation and globalisation. Features: this book is the only South African text that enables the South African undergraduate and postgraduate student to develop a greater appreciation for the broader economic environment in which they operate.