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Description
This module aims to introduce students to the main political economy theories and issues that have shaped the process of European integration from the aftermath of WWII to an uncertain present.
Following a historical account, each weekly topic covers one specific policy area related to either the macroeconomic (i.e., the European Monetary Union and the path towards a fiscal union) or the microeconomic sphere (i.e., trade in the Customs Union, competition in the Single Market, financial policy in the Banking Union) of EU policy-making. Theoretical frameworks and empirical developments will help us explore how the inherent conflicts between economic efficiency, political interests, and social goals have shaped these subsequent steps of economic integration.
The analytical approach of the course is pluralistic, interdisciplinary, and research-oriented. Students will examine a number of economic policies relevant to the formation of the European Union, through both mainstream theories - that have inspired a number of European developments, and alternative schools of thought - that shed light on the blind spots and systematic biases of neoclassical economics. The module aims at appreciating the complexity of EU economic policy-making while also transcending EU borders to discuss various forms of market integration in the contemporary world, touching on the conflicting interests of various stakeholders (markets, states, and individuals), power structures, and economic ideology - with the purpose of maturing a constructive critique towards a more progressive Europe.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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