4.0

credits

Average Course Rating

In a Europe where economic and political unification from above was dramatically unsuccessful, the experience of the EU, once charged of being overcautious in its path towards effective integration, is now recognized as a solid achievement. Only consensus, though oftentimes difficult to reach, can ensure cohesion in modern societies. This is the framework of the present course, devoted to a review of the main steps of European Economic Integration (EEI) and of its effects on the evolution of the European economy. The course will start with an account of the initial approaches to EEI, followed by an analysis of the achievements of EEI in trade, agriculture, money and capitals, industry, services, regional development and welfare provisions, with particular attention to the novelties brought about by the 1992 Single Market and the 2002 Single Currency. Factual analysis will be accompanied by a discussion of the most relevant theoretical issues with reference to customs unions, fixed versus flexible exchange rate systems, economic convergence and polarization, technological innovations and their impact on the labour market and management styles, alternative welfare systems and the impact of the present crisis.