European Economics

Code:

LEC518

Acronym:

EEU

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Economics

Instance: 2006/2007 - 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	162	Official Curricular Structure since 2004	4	2		-
GES	49	Official Curricular Structure since 2004	4	2		-

Objectives

The main aim of the course is to provide students with a solid knowledge of the European integration process, its evolution, and future challenges.
The European integration phenomenon will be contextualised in the global economic environment.
Although the focus is on economic issues, other aspects or challenges at distinct levels (social, political, institutional) will be highlighted when appropriate.
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

1. European Union: history, facts and institutions
1.1. Main moments of the process of european economic and political integration
1.2. The European economy: main indicators and performance
1.3. Institutions of the EU: structure and roles
1.4. The decision-making process

2. The effects of economic integration: from theory to the European case
2.1. Perfect competition
2.2. Imperfect competition: market dimension and scale
2.3. Factor markets and economic growth

3. Main EU policies
3.1. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
3.2. Regional Policy
3.3. Common Trade Policy
3.4. Competition Policy and State Aids
3.5. Industrial Policy
3.6. Other Policies

4. The main recent steps in the EU integration process
4.1. Dimension, competitiveness and innovation
4.1.1. The Single Market: characteristics, impact and present situation
4.1.2. The Lisbon Strategy and the European competitiveness
4.1.3. Complementary topics

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

4.3. The EU's latest Enlargement(s)
4.3.1. Background and accession criteria
4.3.2. Areas of impact and new challenges

5. The Future of Europe: challenges and prospects
5.1. Political integration versus economic integration
5.2. European Constitution and institutional architecture; models and implications
5.3. EU Budget: evolution, components, and main challenges
5.4. Democratic legitimacy and participation; problems and potential solutions
IV.5. Other relevant issues
IV.6. Portugal and the future of Europe

Main Bibliography

Baldwin, Richard E. e C. Wyplosz (2006), The Economics of European Integration, 2ª edição, McGraw-Hill, Maidenhead.

Complementary Bibliography

Other references will be delivered during the course.

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.

Eligibility for exams

Final classification >= 10 + Number of absences <= 5

Calculation formula of final grade

The weight of the evaluation components will also be defined by the beginning of March.