Questions of Social Europe

6 ECTS
Seminar (Präsenzveranstaltung): MES: WPM 1: Regieren in Europa // MES: WPM 6: Wirtschaftspolitik in Europa
Veranstaltungsbeginn: 20.10.2023 Fr, 9 - 17 Uhr Ort: AM 02

Since 2017, there seems to have been a renaissance of the concept of Social Europe, following the creation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and subsequently the 2021 Action Plan for its implementation, together with reaching a new level of cross-country solidarity. The course looks back to the original steps and concepts at the creation of the social dimension of the European Union (the declaration of social rights, the launch of EU level social dialogue, and the cycle of social legislation; setting social standards and targets etc.).
It will be explored how the 2000 Lisbon Strategy added a new layer to this construction, and how subsequent major crises
undermined the “European Social Model” in certain countries. We pay specific attention to the crisis of solidarity at the time of the great financial and eurozone crises, and its apparent resurrection at the time of the coronavirus pandemic. The analysis will pay attention to the impact of EU integration on the resilience of welfare states, and the capacity of the EU to support social investment within countries. Finally, we explore the “new frontiers” of the development of a more social EU (e.g. health union, minimum wage coordination, common unemployment insurance).
Literatur: Common literature: László Andor: Europe’s Social Integration, London Publishing Partnership (2022) European
Commission: Reflection Paper on the Social Dimension of Europe (2017). Recommended literature: Amandine Crespy: The European Social Question, Agenda Publishing 2022. Anton Hemerijck — Robin Huguenot-Noel: Resilient Welfare States in the European Union - Comparative Political Economy, Agenda Publishing 2022.
Hinweise zur Veranstaltung: Registration necessary until 12 October: whk-andor@europa-uni.de. Weitere Informationen zur
Veranstaltung sind bei Moodle zu finden.
Leistungsnachweise: 6 ECTS based on combination of written test and short essay (6–8 pages)
Termine (präsenz): Fr 20.10.23, 9 - 17 Uhr (AM 02) | Sa 21.10.23, 9 - 17 Uhr (AM 02) | Fr 08.12.23, 9 - 17 Uhr (AM 02) | Sa
09.12.23, 9 - 17 Uhr (AM 02)
Sprache: Englisch

Hungary in Europe - Politics, Economics and Society

6 ECTS 

Seminar (Präsenzveranstaltung): MES: WPM 1: Regieren in Europa // WPM 6: Wirtschaftspolitik in Europa
Veranstaltungsbeginn: 15.12.22 (Block)

The course offers a thorough introduction of contemporary Hungary with some historic background. In particular, the political, economic and social transformation of the post-1989 period will be discussed. Whenever necessary, we look back to the history of Hungary and elaborate on cultural factors that influence public debates and political choices.

In the context of European integration, we will look into trends of economic convergence but also political divergence in the recent decade. A thorough analysis of questions of the rule of low is part of the program, but also to investigate why Hungary is among countries delaying the introduction of the euro as national currency.

Our aim is to understand the dynamic interactions between Hungarian, Central-European and EU-wide developments, including at the time of the recent coronavirus recession and the Russia—Ukraine war.

The first part of the course consists of lectures and discussions in class, while the 2nd part is a field visit to Budapest and gain first hand experience at Hungarian universities, and from representatives of politics, business as well as civil society.

Termine (präsenz): Do 15.12.22, 10 - 18 Uhr (AM 205)  | Fr 16.12.22, 10-18 Uhr (AM 205) 
Sprache: Englisch
Hinweise zur Veranstaltung: Registration necessary until 23 October  via e-mail to: mes_students@europa-uni.de

Questions of Social Europe

6 ECTS
Seminar (Präsenzveranstaltung): MES: Zentralbereich Politik // MES: Zentralbereich Wirtschaft // MES: WPM 1: Regieren in Europa // MES: WPM 6: Wirtschaftspolitik in Europa
Veranstaltungsbeginn: 10.06.2022 Block

Since 2017, there seems to have been a renaissance of the concept of Social Europe, following the creation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and subsequently and Action Plan for its implementation. The course looks back to the original steps and concepts at the creation of the social dimension of the European Union (the declaration of social rights, the launch of EU level social dialogue, and the cycle of social legislation. It will be explored how the 2000 Lisbon Strategy added a new layer to this construction, and how subsequent major crises undermined the “European Social Model” in certain countries. We pay specific attention to the crisis of solidarity at the time of the great financial and eurozone crises, and its apparent resurrection at the time of the coronavirus pandemic. The analysis will pay attention to the impact of EU integration on the resilience of welfare states, and the capacity of the EU to support social investment within countries. Finally, we explore the “new frontiers” of the development of a more social EU (e.g. federal unemployment insurance).

Termine (präsenz): Fr 10.06.22, 10 - 18 Uhr | Sa 11.06.22, 10 - 17 Uhr | Fr 17.06.22, 10 - 18 Uhr | Sa 18.06.22, 10 - 17 Uhr
Sprache: Englisch
Hinweise zur Veranstaltung: Registration until 30 April via e-mail to mes_students@europa-uni.de

European Imbalances. Community response to financial and health crises
6 ECTS
Seminar (Blended Learning): MES: Zentralbereich Politik // MES: Zentralbereich Wirtschaft // MES: WPM 1: Regieren in Europa // MES: WPM 6: Wirtschaftspolitik in Europa
Veranstaltungsbeginn: 19.11.2021 Fr, 9 - 13 Uhr

The course provides an overview of the recent financial, economic and health crises in Europe and their impact on society. Our aim is to understand the crisis dynamics and the manifold social consequences, in qualitative and quantitative terms, based on concepts like core and periphery, convergence and divergence, as well as economic, social and territorial cohesion. With Eastern enlargements and an imperfect monetary union, the EU became not only more diverse but also more imbalanced and polarized than before. Exploring the nature of East-West and North-South imbalances in the EU and understanding the relevant public policy agendas are key objectives. It will be crucial to learn how the Single Market and the EMU were created within the EU, and how they function and what their costs and benefits are for participating countries. Exploring the historic circumstances of creation and the design flaws of the EMU will be crucial to demonstrate why the EU has not been able to emerge from the crisis faster. Comparing the two crises and how thinking about and policy making within the European Union developed in the last 15 years is an important element of the course material and the knowledge to be acquired.

Literatur: Andor László (2019) Fifteen Years of Convergence: East-West Imbalance and What the EU Should Do About it, Intereconomics Volume 54, 2019 · Number 1 · pp. 18–23 Boltho, Andrea (2020) Southern and Eastern Europe in the Eurozone: convergence or divergence? in. Baltic Journal of Economics Volume 20, 2020 - Issue 1 Tooze, Adam (2019) Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World, Penguin Books (PART III. EUROZONE) Andor László (2021) Europe’s fight for health and unity. Progressive Yearbook 2021, FEPS
Teilnahmevoraussetzungen: Students are expected to be familiar with the basics of economics, sociology and political science, as well as the functioning of the European Union. They also have to be able to absorb and use key statistical concepts to measure growth, employment, poverty and inequality, and connect such indicators with political, economic and demographic analysis.
Leistungsnachweise: Written exam (90 minutes) OR oral presentation in class OR essay (12 pages). The distribution of assignments will be discussed during the first session.
Termine (präsenz): Do 13.01.22, 14 - 20 Uhr (GD 311) | Fr 14.01.22, 9 - 16 Uhr (GD 311) | Sa 15.01.22, 9 - 16 Uhr (GD 311)Termine (online): Fr 19.11.21, 9 - 13 Uhr | Fr 17.12.21, 9 - 13 Uhr
Sprache: Englisch