Taking off from where we left last year, this year we will concentrate on some of those problematic areas and on some suggestions for a solution. We will have to start from a seemingly banal question: “which crisis are we talking about”? It often happens in fact that a crisis reflects the failure to meet certain expectations. As the Cheshire Cat responded Alice (in Wonderland) who asked him which way to take – it depends on where you want to go.
Reading List for non attending students
All the readings for the attending students plus:
- Ben ROSAMOND. Theories of European Integration Palgrave Macmillan, 2000. Ch 3. Neofunctionalism. pp.50-73; Ch 4. Intergovernmental Backlash. pp. 75-81; Ch 6. Inter govern- mental Europe. pp. 130-147. Ch. 7. Constructivism. pp. 171-175.
- Walter MATTLI. The Logic of Integration. The Logic of Regional Integration: Europe and Beyond, Oxford UP, 1999. Ch.1; Ch.3; Ch.4; Ch.5; Ch.6.
Learning Objectives
For students with an acceptable basis (see prerequisites) the objective is to learn - through classic and recent literature and a good dose of data - how the current Euro Crisis developed and which are the proposals for remedies and the effective responses of the EU and its member states
Prerequisites
No formal requisites.
Yet - to follow the course - students should have a basic but decent knowledge of European Union History, Structure, and Functions.
Teaching Methods
Regular Lectures
Class Discussion
Computer Display
Access to Data Sources
MOODLE Support
Expert Guests Presentations (ex.: Prof. Philippe Schmitter from the EUI)
Further information
none
Type of Assessment
Exams for attending students. The exam consists of a Presentation and Discussion of a Research Paper (max. 8 pages). The date (between mid-November and mid-December) will be agreed with the students in class as soon as possible. Regarding the theme of the paper students should announce it to no later than the 25th of October. The grade will be “assigned” on the day of the presentation. However the final registration of the grade will occur on any of the regular exam dates announced by the school.
Exams for non attending students. The exam consists of an oral discussion on the entire program as described above. See the readings list below. “No papers”. The logistics, in the case of a non-attending student, are prohibitive. We had no the chance to discuss the proposal, the sources, and how to structure the paper. Therefore the exam will be based just on a thorough knowledge of the literature. In old Italian: Chi non vuole, non puole.
Course program
Introduction.
Last year we focused on (a) socio-economic-political dimensions of the so-called millennium “EU Crisis”, and on (b) how major “theories” of European integration” – given their hypotheses - would interpret the crisis. This very rather “primitive” exercise helped students practicing the art of verifying theoretical hypotheses through facts.
Crises are usually (but not necessarily) followed by reflection. Although a “new economic governance” has been set for the EU (and we will see that), the millennium EU crisis is not over yet. Indeed the “sovereign debt” crisis has generated doubts about many other problematic aspects of the EU, not all necessarily of an economic nature.
Taking off from where we left last year, this year we will concentrate on some of those problematic areas and on some suggestions for a solution. We will have to start from a seemingly banal question: “which crisis are we talking about”? It often happens in fact that a crisis reflects the failure to meet certain expectations. As the Cheshire Cat responded Alice (in Wonderland) who asked him which way to take – it depends on where you want to go.
Intro Readings
Donald PUCHALA: “Of Blind Men, Elephants and International Integration”, Journal of Common Market Studies, Vol 10, No. 3. pp. 267-284 [available in the Social Sciences Library]
Giorgio NATALICCHI: “Alice in Wonderland”, Rivista di Studi sullo Stato, Dossier, Il Trattato di Lisbona. 19 Ottobre 2010. [available in Moodle]
As soon as ready, I will also place in Moodle a very concise HANDOUT Basic Concepts on International Political Integration.
Section 1. Where do we stand.
An overview of the current general situation of the EU (text, data, and stats)
Readings.
John PEET and Anton LA GUARDIA, Unhappy Union, The Economist, 2014.
Chapters 1 and 2. For Data see Fig: 4.1, 6.3, 9.1, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4.
Simon HIX, What’s Wrong with the European Union & How to Fix It, Polity, 2008, Chapter 2. pp. 08–27. For data see Fig: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3.
CHARTS AND FIGS also provided by the prof on paper, or through Moodle or E-Mail.
Section 2. Problems and Challenges.
The current crisis peaked with Greece’s (threatened) default. But most analysts (including me) believe that the Treaty of Maastricht was the turning point, after the completion (at least on paper) of the Single Market. We can distinguish between structural factors and conjunctural phenomena. The former are long-standing characteristics of the system and can be of a different nature: sociological (eg.: identity, values, expectations, etc.), or political-institutional (eg. principles, rules, procedures, actors, etc.); or economic (product and financial markets, level of unemployment, etc.); demographic (e.g. peoples longevity, etc.). The latter (conjuctures) are phenomena, occurring inside or outside of the system but affecting the system for an period of time
Readings.
Sociological Problems. People’s Expectations. People “Identity?”. Ideas.
Thomas RISSE, Neofunctionalism, European Identity, and the puzzles of European Integration, Journal of European Public Policy, Vol 12, No. 2, pp. 291-309.
Economic Financial Problems. For use as Reference:
Carl DEGRYSE, The new European economic governance. Working Paper, 2012/4.ETUI. European Trade Union Institute. Bruxelles. 2012 (pp.1-86) (directly downloadable).
Political and Institutional Problems.
Simon HIX, What’s Wrong with the European Union & How to Fix It. Part 1: The Diagnosis, Chapters 03, 04, 05. pp. 29-86.
Richard. BELLAMY (2010), Democracy without Democracy? Can the EU’s democratic outputs be separated from the democratic inputs provided by competitive parties and majority rule?. Journal of European Public Policy. Vol 17 No. 1. Pp. 02–19.
Section 3. Post Crisis Reflections and Proposals
Suggestions proposed by various scholars with regard to “what ought to be changed” or “what should not be changed” in the structure and functioning of the EU.
Readings.
Simon HIX , What’s Wrong with Europe, and What to Do to Fix It. Part 2. The Cure. Chapters 06, 07, 08, pp. 87-165. Non compulsory for attending students, Chapter 9.
Philippe C. SCHMITTER and Zoe LEFKOFRIDI, (2015). Neo Functionalism as a Theory of Disintegration, Chin.Polit. Sci. Rev. DOI 10.1007/s41111-016-0012-4, Original Article. This article is published with open access at Springrlink.com
• Zoe LEFKOFRIDI and Philippe C. SCHMITTER, (2014). Transcending or Descending? European Integration in Times of Crisis, European Political Science Review (EPSR) of the European Consortium for Political Research, Vol. 7, Issue 1, February 2015, pp. 3-22
For NON attending students. In addition to the readings indicated above, non-attending students should also read the chapters indicated of the following books. Both available in the Social Science Library.
- Ben ROSAMOND. Theories of European Integration Palgrave Macmillan, 2000. Ch 3. Neofunctionalism. pp.50-73; Ch 4. Intergovernmental Backlash. pp. 75-81; Ch 6. Inter govern- mental Europe. pp. 130-147. Ch. 7. Constructivism. pp. 171-175.
- Walter MATTLI. The Logic of Integration. The Logic of Regional Integration: Europe and Beyond, Oxford UP, 1999. Ch.1; Ch.3; Ch.4; Ch.5; Ch.6.
APPENDIX
Introductory TextBooks. For those who are interested in an introductory textbook on the European Union (History, Theories, Governance, Policies), I would recommend one of the following:
Helen WALLACE, et al. (eds.), Policy Making in the European Union, 7th Edition, Oxford UP, 2015.
Michelle CINI, Nievez Perez Solorzano Borragan, European Union Politics, 5th Edition, Oxford UP, 2016.
Neil NUGENT, The Government and Politics of the European Union, 8th Edition, Pallgrave, Macmillan, 2017.
John McCORMICK, European Union Politics, 2nd edition, Pallgrave Macmillan, 2015.
Ian BACHE,Simon BULMER,Stephen GEORGE,Owen PARKER, Politics in the European Union, 4th Edition, Oxford UP, 2015.
They are all quite good. Perhaps Wallace’s – given its title - is obviously more focused on EU Policies and Policy-Making than to Institutions and History. However, in terms of edition date, the only one available at the library in the last edition is the one by Helen WALLACE et Al. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary complications I would suggest that you use the WALLACE’s book.
Exams for attending students. The exam consists of a Presentation and Discussion of a Research Paper (max. 8 pages). The date (between mid-November and mid-December) will be agreed with the students in class as soon as possible. Regarding the theme of the paper students should announce it to no later than the 25th of October. The grade will be “assigned” on the day of the presentation. However the final registration of the grade will occur on any of the regular exam dates announced by the school.
Exams for non attending students. The exam consists of an oral discussion on the entire program as described above. See the readings list below. “No papers”. The logistics, in the case of a non-attending student, are prohibitive. We had no the chance to discuss the proposal, the sources, and how to structure the paper. Therefore the exam will be based just on a thorough knowledge of the literature. In old Italian: Chi non vuole, non puole.
PS. To qualify as an “attending” student, a student will attend at least to 2/3 of the classes.
To make it easy for you to understand which readings are required and how we will proceed with the classes, below is a readings list and an “estimated” class schedule.
Readings list for attending students
- Donald PUCHALA: “Of Blind Men, Elephants and International Integration”, Journal of Common Market Studies, Vol 10, No. 3. pp. 267-284 [available in the Social Sciences Library] [one extra credit to who discovers how to concretely apply the proposed model]
-Giorgio NATALICCHI: “Alice in Wonderland”, Rivista di Studi sullo Stato, Dossier, Il Trattato di Lisbona. 19 Ottobre 2010. [available in Moodle] [one page before bed time will guarantee you a pleasant sleep]
-John PEET and Anton LA GUARDIA, Unhappy Union, The Economist, 2014.
Chapters 1 and 2. For Data see Fig: 4.1, 6.3, 9.1, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4.
-Simon HIX, What’s Wrong with the European Union & How to Fix It, Polity, 2008, Chapter 2. pp. 08–27. For data see Fig: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 [Italian students are advised to take an anti-depressant before looking at these figures]
-Thomas RISSE, Neofunctionalism, European Identity, and the Puzzles of European Integration, Journal of European Public Policy, Vol 12, No. 2, pp. 291-309.
-As reference for the Economic & Financial Crisis and the New European Economic Governance: Carl DEGRYSE, The new European economic governance. Working Paper, 2012/4.ETUI. European Trade Union Institute. Bruxelles. 2012 (pp.1-86) (directly downloadable). [DeGryse publishes for a European Trade Union Association. However, do not worry: despite the unions’ membership problems, he will not try to make of you a new member]
-Simon HIX, What’s Wrong with the European Union & How to Fix It. Part 1: The Diagnosis, Chapters 03, 04, 05. pp. 29-86. [if you are a follower of the democratic-deficit movement, this is your book]
-Richard. BELLAMY (2010), Democracy without Democracy? Can the EU’s democratic outputs be separated from the democratic inputs provided by competitive parties and majority rule? Journal of European Public Policy. Vol 17 No. 1. Pp. 02–19. [highly recommended to electronic circuit engineers: inputs, outputs, etc. etc. ]
-Simon HIX , What’s Wrong with Europe, and What to Do to Fix It. Part 2. The Cure. Chapters 06, 07, 08, pp. 87-165. Chapter 9 [non compulsory for attending students]
-Philippe C. SCHMITTER and Zoe LEFKOFRIDI, (2015). Neo Functionalism as a Theory of Disintegration, Chin.Polit. Sci. Rev. DOI 10.1007/s41111-016-0012-4, Original Article. This article is published with open access at Springrlink.com.
• -Zoe LEFKOFRIDI and Philippe C. SCHMITTER, (2014). Transcending or Descending? European Integration in Times of Crisis, European Political Science Review (EPSR) of the European Consortium for Political Research, Vol. 7, Issue 1, February 2015, pp. 3-22
[Worth Reading. A chance to see an “original” (capo-scuola) of neo-functionalism reacting to the “so called” European integration process crisis].
Reading List for non attending students
All the readings for the attending students plus:
- Ben ROSAMOND. Theories of European Integration Palgrave Macmillan, 2000. Ch 3. Neofunctionalism. pp.50-73; Ch 4. Intergovernmental Backlash. pp. 75-81; Ch 6. Inter govern- mental Europe. pp. 130-147. Ch. 7. Constructivism. pp. 171-175.
- Walter MATTLI. The Logic of Integration. The Logic of Regional Integration: Europe and Beyond, Oxford UP, 1999. Ch.1; Ch.3; Ch.4; Ch.5; Ch.6.
CLASS SCHEDULE
CLASS DATE READINGS
Section 1. Basic Concepts.
18 Sep Intro. Course Themes.
19 General Class Discussion
20 Basic Concepts
25 Basic Concepts
26 Basic Concepts
27 Basic Concepts
02 Oct Basic Concepts
03 Basic Concepts
04 Basic Concepts (Puchala: Of Blind Men Elephants and International Integration). (Natalicchi: Alice in Wonderland).
Section 2. Where do we stand.
09 Oct Peet & La Guardia: Figures: 4.1, 6.3, 9.1, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4.
Hix = Figures: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3.
Section 3. Problems and Challenges.
10 Oct Peet & LaGuardia. Chapters 1; 2; 3.
11 Hix. Chapters 1; 2.
16 Peet & LaGuardia. Chapters 4; 5.
17 Hix. Chapters 3; 4; 5.
18 DeGryse. New Econ Governance
23 DeGryse. New Econ Governance
24 Peet & LaGuardia. Chapters 6; 7; 8.
25 Hix. Chapters 6; 7; 8; 9.
Section 4. Post Crisis Reflections and Proposals for Action
30 Oct Thomas Risse
31 Philippe C. Schmitter & Lefkofridi
01 Nov
06 Lefkofridi & P.C. Schmitter
07 Review. Discussion of Students’ Paper Proposals.
08 ReviewIntroductory TextBooks. For those who are interested in an introductory textbook on the European Union (History, Theories, Governance, Policies), I would recommend one of the following:
Helen WALLACE, et al. (eds.), Policy Making in the European Union, 7th Edition, Oxford UP, 2015.
Michelle CINI, Nievez Perez Solorzano Borragan, European Union Politics, 5th Edition, Oxford UP, 2016.
Neil NUGENT, The Government and Politics of the European Union, 8th Edition, Pallgrave, Macmillan, 2017.
John McCORMICK, European Union Politics, 2nd edition, Pallgrave Macmillan, 2015.
Ian BACHE,Simon BULMER,Stephen GEORGE,Owen PARKER, Politics in the European Union, 4th Edition, Oxford UP, 2015.
They are all quite good. Perhaps Wallace’s – given its title - is obviously more focused on EU Policies and Policy-Making than to Institutions and History. However, in terms of edition date, the only one available at the library in the last edition is the one by Helen WALLACE et Al. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary complications I would suggest that you use the WALLACE’s book.