74570 - Europe in The Global Economy

Academic Year 2020/2021

Learning outcomes

The course offers a series of advanced analytical tools to understand European economic development as well as economic policies related to EU integration and enlargement, their political and economic prerequisites and their impact on member states. At the end of the course, students will be able to use models of political economy, institutional economics and economic analysis in order to critically evaluate the process of economic integration in Europe in the trade, monetary and financial areas.

Course contents

This course explores the economic integration of the European Union (EU) and its role in the global economy. Students will learn some basic concepts and theory, before gaining a solid understanding of the economic dynamics between EU member states as well as between the EU and the rest of the world.

Learning will revolve around lectures and class-work, suggested reading material and case studies. For the case studies, students will be required to familiarise themselves with a short reading in advance so that they can contribute the discussion, share their ideas and improve their analytical ability

At the end of the course students will be able to critically evaluate current events and contribute to the debate on Europe’s economic future against the changing dynamics of global markets.

 

The course is divided into three main sections.

The first section provides students with the necessary foundations (concepts, theories and history) to understand the integration of the EU and trade globalisation. It covers two main topics: the microeconomics of European integration and the economics of preferential liberalisation.

Case study 1: The first case study examines how the economics of preferential liberalisation works in practice. Starting with a discussion on the different levels of economic integration with the EU, we will look at the past and future relationship between the EU and the UK as a result of Britain’s decision to leave the EU. Students will gain an understanding of the role that the UK played in shaping the EU as well as the tensions that ultimately resulted in Brexit. Students will learn about the Trade and Cooperation Agreement which now governs the trade relations between the EU and the UK, and how this compares EU membership. We will go on to consider two issues in depth: fishing and the Irish border.

The second section focuses on the EU’s trade policy, both at the multilateral and bilateral level - from WTO rules to bilateral trade and investment agreements - and looks at the internal EU trade policy formulation and the external negotiating dynamics. For this we will explore how the EU’s trade policy is articulated and implemented. This section also considers the role of trade policy as a tool to engage the trade partners with the EU’s goals for economic development and promote good standards (environmental, food, human rights etc.).

Case study 2: The second case study takes a detailed look at the relationship between the EU and China from the perspective of bilateral trade. The focus will be on how the rise of China has altered the dynamics of the global economy, what this means for the rest of the world, and how the EU and China have responded to this shift by creating a framework for relations and trade that underpins their bilateral cooperation. There will be scope to examine and discuss the new EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment.

The third section looks at the logic of economic growth within the context of Europe’s single market as well as with regard to the external partners. We will discuss how economic integration has contributed significantly to growth, competitiveness and employment in the EU. We will also address the EU’s future prospects for growth and explore the current biggest obstacles and drivers of growth, including the demographic transition, technology and innovation, and climate change.

Case study 3: The third case study looks at trade and the environment, and questions the stability of economic growth that is underpinned by unsustainable trade practices. We will examine the existing relationship between good environmental practices and trade agreements as set out in the EU’s existing treaties, and what the way forward should look like.

Case study 4: The fourth case study focuses on the Next Generation EU Recovery Fund to coordinate the EU response to the Covid-19 crisis and reconstruct the EU pandemic-stricken economies. We will discuss how the Fund can strengthen growth potential, job creation and economic and social resilience of the EU member states, and provide an effective contribution to the green and digital transition.

Readings/Bibliography

The following book will be used for the basic concepts. In addition, a full reading list will be available at the beginning of the course and other material used in class will be made available afterwards.

Richard Baldwin and Charles Wyplosz, The Economics of European Integration (London: McGraw Hill Education, fifth edition, 2015), chapters 1-5, and chapters 7 and 12.


Teaching methods

The course is taught online on MS TEAMS. Students will be able to follow the lessons of the entire course remotely on MS TEAMS.

Attendance is strongly recommended.

Assessment methods

Exams are held during the main exam periods (June-July, September and January-February).

The exam consists of an online written exam and an essay on a topic of choice.

The written exam requires to answer an open-ended question in depth, considering and discussing both theoretical and empirical aspects. It makes up 25% of the final mark and must be passed.

The essay should be of no more than 3,000 words and on a topic of your choice within the remit of the course. The objective is to produce a brief that is informative and analytical, but also concise and focused. Building on your knowledge of the course material and even expanding it, you need to show the ability to provide good analysis based on solid information.

The essay makes up 75% of the final mark.

 

Teaching tools

Presentations and reading material will be made available online.

Office hours

See the website of Paola Subacchi

SDGs

No poverty Quality education Decent work and economic growth

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.