European Economics

Code:

LEC518

Acronym:

EEU

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Economics

Instance: 2004/2005 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://www.fep.up.pt/disciplinas/lec518/
Responsible unit:	Grupo de Economia
Course/CS Responsible:	ECONOMICS

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
ECO	47	Official Curricular Structure since 2004	4	2		-
GES	11	Official Curricular Structure since 2004	4	2		-

Objectives

The main aim of the course is to provide students with a solid knowledge about the European integration process, its evolution, and future challenges.
The European integration phenomenon will be contextualised in the global economic environment.
Even if the focus is on economic issues, other aspects or challenges at distinct levels (social, political, institutional) will be highlighted when appropriate.
Relevant areas of impact for the Portuguese economy will be discussed.
The course will develop themes such as: indicators characterising the European economy, its countries and regions; intra-EU trade; foreign direct investment; EU policies; European Single Market; Economic and Monetary Union; successive Enlargement initiatives and their impact; future perspectives on the EU; positioning of the Union in the global economic and political arena.

Program

I. European Union: historical evolution and institutions
I.1. Background to the process of European Integration; historical and political perspectives
I.2. Institutions of the EU: Structure and roles
I.3. The European economy: main indicators and performance

II. Main EU policies
II.1. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
II.2. Regional Policy
II.3. Common Trade Policy
II.4. Competition Policy
II.5. Industrial Policy
II.6. Other Policies

III. The main steps in the EU integration process
III.1. The Single European Market
III.1.1. Background and defining characteristics
III.1.2. Impact: main studies and critical perspectives
III.1.3.Complementary topics: agglomeration economies, centre-periphery effects, foreign direct investment.

III.2. Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)
III.2.1. Theory of monetary integration; history of monetary integration in Europe
III.2.2. EMU: aims, phases, participation criteria, benefits and costs
III.2.3. EMU's impact in the design and implementation of economic policy: 'federalisation' of monetary policy; budget discipline and coordination; fiscal harmonisation.

III.3. EU's latest Enlargement
III.3.1. Background and accession criteria
III.3.2. Areas of impact: trade; FI; labour mobility; geopolitical considerations

IV. Europe's Future: Challenges and prospects
IV.1. European Constitution and institutional architecture; models and implications
IV.2. Security, defence and political importance of the EU
IV.3. Democratic legitimacy and participation; problems and potential solutions
IV.4. EU Budget: evolution, components, and main challenges
IV.5. Other relevant issues
IV.6. Portugal and the future of Europe

Main Bibliography

Artis, M. J. and F. Nixson (editors) (2001), The Economics of the European Union, Oxford University Press.

Baldwin, Richard E. (1997), Towards an Integrated Europe, 2ª edição, CEPR, London.

Baldwin, Richard E. e C. Wyplosz (2003), The Economics of European Integration, Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill.

El-Agraa, Ali M. (2001), (editor), The European Union: Economics and Policies, 6ª Edição, Pearson Education, Harlow (Essex).

Porto, Manuel (2001), Teoria da Integração e Políticas Comunitárias, 3ª edição, Livraria Almedina, Coimbra.

Robson, Peter (1985), Teoria Económica da Integração Internacional, Coimbra Editora, Coimbra.

Robson, Peter (1998), The Economics of International Integration, London: Routledge. (more updated version of the latter, in English)

Complementary Bibliography

Alves, Rui Henrique (2000), Políticas Fiscais Nacionais e União Económica e Monetária na Europa, 2ª edição, Bolsa de Valores de Lisboa e Porto, Porto.

Buti, Marco (ed.) (2003), Monetary and Fiscal Policies in the EMU, Cambridge University Press.

De Grauwe, Paul (2003), The Economics of Monetary Integration, 5ª edição, Oxford University Press.

Dewatripont, Mathias et al (1995), Flexible Integration - Towards a More Effective and Democratic Europe, Monitoring European Integration 6, CEPR, London.

Holland, Stuart (2004), Europe in Question: Constitution, Cohesion and Enlargement, Spokesman, Nottingham.

Kenen, Peter (1995), Economic and Monetary Union in Europe: Moving Beyond Maastricht, Cambridge University Press.

Loureiro, João (1999), Euro – Perspectiva Macroeconómica, Edit. Vida Económica, Lisboa.

Sapir, André et al (2004), An Agenda for a Growing Europe – the Sapir Report, Oxford University Press.

Sweet, Alex Stone e Sandholtz, Wayne (1998), European Integration and Supranational Governance, Oxford University Press.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Combines presentation of major conceptual and theoretical issues with presentation and discussion of the major EU policies and initiatives/landmarks.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam