Harvard. Advanced Public Finance. Description, enrollment and final examination. Bullock, 1912-1913

Adam Smith appears in eight of the seventeen semester examination questions for Charles Jesse Bullock’s course on comparative public finance in 1912-13.

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Earlier Advanced Public Finance

Links to earlier course material for advanced course in public finance from Harvard, 1905-06 through 1911-12.

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ECONOMICS 31
Course Description
1912-13

[Economics] 31 (formerly 16). Public Finance. Mon., Wed., and (at the pleasure of the instructor) Fri., at 10. Professor Bullock.

The course is devoted to the examination of the financial institutions of the principal modern countries, in the light of both theory and history. One or more reports calling for independent investigation will ordinarily be required. Special emphasis will be placed upon questions of American finance. Ability to read French or German is presupposed.

Source: Harvard University. Division of History, Government, and Economics, Courses of Instruction, 1912–13, p. 67.

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ECONOMICS 31
Course Enrollment
1912-13

[Economics] 31 (formerly 16). Professor Bullock. — Public Finance.

Total 7: 6 Graduates; 1 Junior.

Source: Harvard University. Reports of the President and the Treasurer of Harvard College, 1912-13, p. 58.

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ECONOMICS 31
Mid-year Examination
1912-13

1. In estimating the pressure of public expenditures what considerations need to be taken into account?
2. State and discuss the so-called laws of the increase of public expenditures.
3. Discuss critically Smith’s, Wagner’s, Cohn’s, and Seligman’s classifications of public revenues.
4. In what branches of expenditures may a decrease be expected either immediately or ultimately? Give reasons.
5. Compare the opinions of Smith and Bastable concerning revenue from domains.
6. Compare the opinions of Smith and Mill concerning justice in taxation.
7. Compare the opinions of Smith and Mill concerning the best system of taxation for Great Britain.
8. What is the opinion of Leroy-Beaulieu concerning the present and future of revenues from (a) domains, (b) public industries?
9. What is the opinion of Eheberg concerning the present and future of revenues from (a) domain, (b) public industries?

Source: Harvard University. Mid-year examinations, 1852-1943. Box 9, bound volume Examination Papers, Mid-Years 1912-13. 

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ECONOMICS 31
Year-end Examination
1912-13

1. How far does the present British system of taxation conform to the maxims of Adam Smith?
2. How far does the present French system of taxation conform to Smith’s maxims?
3. How far does the present Prussian system of taxation conform to Smith’s maxims?
4. How far would the single tax on land values conform to Smith’s maxims?
5. Compare the general property tax in Switzerland with the same tax in the United States.
6. What changes in the general property tax have occurred in the United States in recent years?
7. Discuss fully the opinions of Leroy-Beaulieu or Eheberg concerning the income tax.
8. Discuss fully the opinions of Leroy-Beaulieu or Eheberg concerning the inheritance tax.

Source: Harvard University Examinations. Papers set for final examinations in history, history of science, government, economics, philosophy, social ethics, education, fine arts, music in Harvard College (June 1913), pp. 55-56.

Image Source: Beginning of Chapter II, Part II of Book V of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations. This is where to find Smith’s four maxims on taxation.

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Earlier Advanced Public Finance Courses

1905-06. Public Finance (advanced course).
1908-09. Public Finance (advanced course).
1910-11. Public Finance (advanced course).
1911-12. Public Finance (advanced course).