Universität Wien

210081 SE BAK15: SE Osteuropastudien (2017W)

Multi-Speed Europe and the East-West Divide in the EU (engl.)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung

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Details

max. 50 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

Dienstag 10.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 17.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 24.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 31.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 07.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 14.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 21.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 28.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 05.12. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 12.12. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 09.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 16.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 23.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Dienstag 30.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

Increasingly the EU functions on a multi-speed basis, with important implications in terms of integration and the relational dynamics between the member states. This has led to a renewed East-West divide and a repositioning of the CEE members vis-à-vis one another and the EU.

The first part of the seminar will discuss the conceptual elements and core theories of EU (differentiated) integration, political representation and the EU political system. The aim is to provide the fundamental theoretical tools to develop a discussion around the dynamics of the multi-speed EU governance system and its repercussions in terms of representation across different regions.

The second part focuses on the EU as a system of differentiated integration, how multi-speed integration has been developing currently and what are its implications for the functioning of the EU. Is the variable policy integration geometry inevitable and what effects does it have for the member states?

The third part of the seminar is more applied and focuses on how the Central and Eastern European member states have responded to the new realities of multi-speed Europe. Beyond the rejection of the multi-speed solutions, have the CEE member states repositioned regarding the EU? The aim is to discuss the effects of the core-periphery structure and how recent developments of the CEE region reflect this changing dynamic (and divide) between the EU and its member states.

The seminar readings cover key texts on European Integration, Europeanization, Central and Eastern European regional specifics. Participants will acquire an advanced understanding of EU integration, the EU as a political system, with a particular focus on the Central and Eastern European region, as well as the developments within the CEE region and its relationship with the west and the EU. Over the seminar, the following questions will be answered:
- What is European (differentiated) integration? How is it defined in respective literature and how can we understand it as a differentiated system in the present context?
- Is a multi-speed Europe approach pragmatically useful and what are its implications in terms of transparency and accountability? What are other potential solutions to EU’s crisis of legitimacy and what options does the EU face in the context of a widening East-West divide?
- How do the differences and particularities of the CEE region play into the EU enlargement process? How do such differences affect the EU governance system in light of recent challenges and developments?

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

The seminar is set up in a way that students have to prepare given articles and texts prior to each session. Most of the sessions are structured in a way that small working groups discuss the topic at the beginning of the session and subsequently the debate will be shifted to the plenary. The reason for this method is to enable students to participate actively on a constant basis.

Students have to write three essays (max. 1500 words each) over the course of the semester. The purpose of the essays is to deepen the understanding of the articles and link them to the topic of the session. In line with the course structure, one essay needs to be submitted for each part of the seminar.
Apart from the essays (50%), students have to write a midterm take-home exam (40%). The purpose of the exam is to get feedback on the level of understanding of the content of the course covered until the exam. Moreover, two sessions will include a seminar (simulated) conference, which means that students, in groups, have to prepare short presentations of given topics covered in the texts (10%).

Therefore, the final grade consists of three assessments:
1. Three written essays (max. 1500 words) based on the seminar readings and class discussions (50%).
2. Midterm take-home exam consisting of several open questions relating to the seminar content (40%).
3. Student group presentation - based on one of the seminar texts (10%).

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

Understanding the changes and recent developments of the EU integration process with respect to the Central and Eastern European regional particularities, in accordance with the seminar’s starting question and aims.
Ability to apply general theories of European integration, the EU political system and specifics of the Eastern Enlargement to the current socio-political context.
Abilities in formulating, analyzing and presenting knowledge from the seminar, taking their point of departure in the seminar readings.
Ability to summaries and present an academic text, and answer complex political science questions in writing.
In short written form and through oral presentations, the students should be able to summaries theoretical and practical issues and present their knowledge in an eloquent and understandable way.
In order to receive a positive mark, students have to comply with the mandatory attendance rules (i.e. maximum two missed sessions allowed) and successfully pass each of the assessments. All the assignments are compulsory.

Prüfungsstoff

Seminar readings (available on Moodle) and class discussions.

Literatur

Selective

Ágh, A. (2014). Decline of democracy in East-Central Europe: The last decade as the lost decade in democratization.
Bache, I., Bulmer, S., George, S., & Parker, O. (2014). Politics in the European Union. Oxford University Press, USA.
Bickerton, C. J., Hodson, D., & Puetter, U. (2015). The New Intergovernmentalism: European Integration in the Post‐Maastricht Era. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 53(4), 703–722.
Börzel, T. A., & Schimmelfennig, F. (2017). Coming together or drifting apart? The EU’s political integration capacity in Eastern Europe. Journal of European Public Policy, 24(2), 278–296.
Börzel, T. A., & Sedelmeier, U. (2016). Larger and more law abiding? The impact of enlargement on compliance in the European Union.
Ceka, B., & Sojka, A. (2016). Loving it but not feeling it yet? The state of European identity after the eastern enlargement. European Union Politics, 17(3), 482–503.
Cini, M., & Borragan, N. P.-S. (2016). European Union Politics. Oxford University Press.
Edwards, M. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Civil Society. (M. Edwards, Ed.) (1st ed.). Oxford University Press. http://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195398571.001.0001
Epstein, R. A., & Jacoby, W. (2014). Eastern Enlargement Ten Years On: Transcending the East–West Divide? JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 52(1), 1–16.
Grabbe, H. (2014). Six Lessons of Enlargement Ten Years On: The EU's Transformative Power in Retrospect and Prospect. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 52(s1), 40–56.
Guerra, S. (2013). Central and Eastern European Attitudes in the Face of Union.
Hooghe, L., & Marks, G. (2001). Multi-level Governance and European Integration. Rowman & Littlefield.
Hooghe, L., & Marks, G. (2009). A postfunctionalist theory of European integration: From permissive consensus to constraining dissensus. British Journal of Political Science.
Hooghe, M., & Quintelier, E. (2013). Political participation in European countries: The effect of authoritarian rule, corruption, lack of good governance and economic downturn. Comparative European Politics, 12(2), 209–232.
Jones, E., Menon, A., & Weatherill, S. (2012). The Oxford Handbook of the European Union. Oxford University Press.
Leuffen, D., Rittberger, B., & Schimmelfennig, F. (2012). Differentiated Integration. Palgrave Macmillan.
Levitz, P., & Pop-Eleches, G. (2010). Why No Backsliding? The European Union’s Impact on Democracy and Governance Before and After Accession. Comparative Political Studies, 43(4), 457–485.
Rupnik, J. (2016). Surging Illiberalism in the East. Journal of Democracy, 27(4), 77–87.
Sánchez-Salgado, R. (2014). Europeanizing Civil Society. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Schimmelfennig, F. (2001). The Community Trap: Liberal Norms, Rhetorical Action, and the Eastern Enlargement of the European Union. International Organization, 55(1), 47–80. http://doi.org/10.1162/002081801551414
Schimmelfennig, F. (2016). Good governance and differentiated integration: Graded membership in the European Union. European Journal of Political Research, 55(4), 789–810.
Schimmelfennig, F., & Sedelmeier, U. (2005). The Europeanization of Central and Eastern Europe. Cornell University Press.
Sedelmeier, U. (2014). Anchoring Democracy from Above? The European Union and Democratic Backsliding in Hungary and Romania after Accession. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 52(1), 105–121.
Segert, D. (2013). Understanding the “footprint of state socialism” in east central European post-socialism. Human Affairs, 23(3).
Tismăneanu, V. (2013). Understanding 1989: Civil Society, Ideological Erosion, and Elite Disenchantment. East Central Europe, 40(1-2), 150–155.
Vachudova, M. A. (2014). EU Leverage and National Interests in the Balkans: The Puzzles of Enlargement Ten Years On. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 52(1), 122–138.
Wiener, A., & Diez, T. (2009). European Integration Theory. Oxford University Press, USA.

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Letzte Änderung: Mo 07.09.2020 15:38