The course intends to analyze economic regulation of public services from different perspectives and to explore the peculiarities of centralized and local allocation of regulatory tasks in relation to the nature of the service, specific policy objectives (consumer protection, equity, environmental targets, efficiency …), the historical and cultural background, the relationship between different actors and stakeholders, the influence - when relevant - of international actors like international organizations and financial institutions. The existence of multi-level systems of regulation will be also analyzed as an emerging trend. The course final aim is to provide participants with a broader overview on the objectives of regulation and with some hints to evaluate on a case-by-case basis what are the most suitable instruments and what is the best layer of intervention for a sound regulation: national, local or multi-level. That is why frontal lessons will be accompanied by the presentation of specific case studies and by interactive working groups.