The Political Economy of European Integration

An introduction to the major political and economic issues of European integration. Political and economic theories are applied to the economic consequences of nation convergence within the European Union. Orients students in current EU integration policy discussion.

Requirements: Graduate or Undergratuate students, minimum age: 18. Fluent in English.

Semester: Fall or Spring | Hours: 45 | Language: English

This course is part of a Semester Programme

The Semester Course Programme has been designed for those students who wish spend a semester studying abroad. Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) offers students a range of classes to choose and you can take from 1 to 5 for a semester. Get more information »

Course Description

The Political Economy of European IntegrationThis course introduces students to the key political and economic aspects of European integration, taking a predominantly economic approach. The main economic issues raised by the convergence of nations within the European Union are discussed and applied to relevant political-economic concepts and theories.

The course draws from up-to-date articles, journals and other publications to orient students in current EU integration policy discussion. Open economics, labor productivity, migration flows and monetary integration are among the issues discussed. 

Content

These are just a few of the topics addressed in this course. Please take a look at the instructor’s syllabus for a complete description of the course contents.

  • Geography & history of the European Union
  • Institutions and Budget: EU laws and legitimacy in EU decision-making
  • Basic macroeconomics tools
  • State aid: competition, mergers and antitrust policies
  • Growth effects and factor market integration
  • The effects of integration
  • Labor productivity: Europe vs. the US
  • European migration flows: 1950-2000
  • European imbalances: core-periphery structure & EU regional policies
  • Spatial distribution of activities across the EU
  • Regional imbalances and convergence process
  • Monetary integration
  • The European monetary system


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