慶應義塾大学　経済学部　PEARL入試　志望理由書　提出例(寺井 公子先生ゼミ向け)

慶應義塾大学　経済学部　PEARL入試　志望理由書　提出例(寺井 公子先生ゼミ向け)

Dr. Kimiko Terai

Professor

Department of Economics, Political Economy

Keio University

Dear Professor Terai,

I am writing this letter to explain my purpose in applying for Department of Economics at Keio University, specializing in Political Economy and related studies. I have read a number of your published work which I was very intrigued by. I would be extremely grateful if you could kindly give this a read. 

Abstract
We all have our preconceived ideas of where government spending belongs and what should be left to the private sector, but many people may disagree whether our government expenditure is appropriate. Political Economics has some helpful insights for getting to the bottom of these debates. For any level of government, budgeting is one of the most important policy documents, as it provides insight into a government’s priorities – be they education, health care, business, defense or public safety. Budgeting processes are similar across the federal, regional and local levels of government, but key differences separate federal budgeting from the rest.

Discussion
The key distinction that separates the federal budget process from local counterparts is the issue of a fiscal deficit, in which budgeted expenditures exceed estimated revenues, while regional and local governments are required by law to balance their budgets within their income. Income usually consists of consumption tax, income tax, federal tax, federal tax, property tax, corporate tax and insurance tax. Naturally, government spending size correlates with national income, however cross-country differences are persistently large when it comes to its priorities. In India, the government spends about 1,800 US dollars per head (PPP) in one year; while in countries such as Norway, the latest corresponding figure is just over 30,000 US dollars (PPP).

Findings
Governments differ substantially not only in size but also in priorities, for example in 2011 education accounted for about 8% of government spending in Italy, 13% in U.S, 17% in Japan and 20% in SouthAfrica and even higher close to 30% in France and Germany. According to government report in 2018, the Japanese government plans to introduce a system in fiscal 2020 to provide subsidies on a priority basis for projects included in municipal anti-disaster plans adopted under a basic law on developing resilient infrastructure which would count for a bigger pool of expenditure. Also, Japan assumes an extremely important responsibility and role in securing world peace and prosperity as well as overcoming the problems of this era of transition – where Japan spends the biggest pool of expenditure – National Security, Foreign Investment and Peace Programs.

Summary
We all have a rough idea on how much we spend but never sure whether its breakdown on education, healthcare, foreign investment is appropriate. I believe it is an important mission for us to study our fiscal policy, how much we pay, how much our government spends in return and where to balance it out with our missions as a developed nation in the world. It would be extremely exciting for me to take part in your seminar to conduct meaningful research based on valid data points. Thank you very much for taking the time and I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Thank you and Kind Regards,

*予算編成過程における権限の分割と政府支出拡大との関連性, 寺井, 公子, 科学研究費補助金研究成果報告書 2016年