|
At the end of the course students should have gained:
-
knowledge of regional development in Europe and the way in which this is subject of policy-making on the level of states, regions and the EU;
-
insight in the functioning of organisations and actors on several levels within the European arena on behalf of local and regional interest;
-
experience in analysing, reporting and discussing EU policy within the scope of distinct scales and geographical diversity.
|
|
The EU is as good as dead, according to some authors. They focus on the revival of nationalism and the rise of populism in Europe. The worldwide economic crisis that started in 2008 is another challenging development. We witnessed a major financial crisis in the EU, and the almost collapse of the Eurozone. A major divide has become visible (again): between the Northern and the Southern part of the EU, as it is called in the press. But perhaps there is another reason for the current EU crisis: its enormous (geographical) diversity. Many say that a monetary union is not possible without a political union. But a stronger political union would mean further integration, meaning that member states should give up more sovereignty and hand over power to Brussels.
The EU is therefore at a crossroad. How have we reached this point, and what are the further possible steps: that is the mean focus of our course. But we will always relate European integration to the geography and the diversity of Europe. There are many geographical dimensions of the Integration Process in general, therefore, apart from the Euro-crisis, we will focus on the following questions:
- What was the effect of European integration on regional differentiation in the EU? Is EU membership in general ‘good’ for economic and regional development?
- How successful were/are regional funds?
- What are the (geographical) limits of enlargement?
- What are the causes of the eurocrisis?
- How to deal with migration and asylum seekers?
- What effect will the change of the CAP have on regional development?
- What could be th effect of BREXIT?
- What was/is the effect of European integration on cultural diversity in the EU? Does it lead to more homogeneity or is it an impulse for cultural (national/regional) identity?
During the course we try to explain the backgrounds of all these problems and dimensions, and will discuss the future of European Integration.
There will be lectures and exams, and several debates to discuss the major EU policies.
N.B.
For final information about modes of instruction, assessment and literature: see course manual.
|
 |
|