European Institute public debate co-hosted with Policy Network
Date: Monday 5 October 2015
Time: 6.30-8pm
Venue: Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building
Speakers: Patrick Diamond, Roger Liddle
Respondents: Jonathan Hopkin, Simon Nixon, John Park
Chair: Dr Mareike Kleine
A spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of disorderly fragmentation. Following the Great Recession, Europe has suffered an exceptional loss of economic activity, vast increases in public debt as well as a crisis in the currency union. Brexit and Grexit scenarios are the headline grabbing, but by no means isolated, manifestations of discord with Brussels and its institutions and actors. The risk is that the emerging divide within Europe will become a timebomb that threatens the stability of the EU’s political cohesion. It could provoke electorates to support policies that, at best, threaten the EU and, at worst, risk reviving the continent’s very worst memories of political extremism and intolerance. There is a vicious circle in play within which economic woes are fueling social dislocation, which sparks political deadlock and/or extremism, which makes meaningful economic reform impossible. The challenge for policymakers is to defuse this predicament with policies that promote EU-wide improvements in growth, incomes, jobs and lower inequality. This public event, in partnership with Policy Network, will open with a compelling picture of Europe’s multifaceted divergences in the field of the economy and labour markets, inequality and poverty, education and health, politics and culture. It will conclude by exploring what both the EU and national governments can do to restore Europe's strength, sustainability, cohesion and competitiveness in a climate of rising populism.
Patrick Diamond is Vice-Chair of Policy Network.
Roger Liddle is Chair of Policy Network and co-author with Patrick Diamond of The Social Reality of Europe After the Crisis: Trends, Challenges and Responses.
Jonathan Hopkin is Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at LSE.
Simon Nixon is Chief European Commentator at the Wall Street Journal.
John Park is Assistant General Secretary at Community Trade Union.
Mareike Kleine is Associate Professor of EU and International Politics, LSE
The LSE European Institute () was established in 1991 as a dedicated centre for the interdisciplinary study of processes of integration and fragmentation within Europe. In the most recent national Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) the Institute was ranked first for research in its sector.
This event is free and open to all, but pre-registration is required. Please RSVP to ekinloch@policy-network.net. For more information contact Catherine Mitchell, email Euroinst.Events@lse.ac.uk or call 020 7955 7896.
From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back on this listing on the day of the event.
Twitter and Facebook
You can get immediate notification on the availability of an event podcast by following LSE public lectures and events on Twitter, which will also inform you about the posting of transcripts and videos, the announcement of new events and other important event updates. Event updates and other information about what's happening at LSE can be found on the LSE's Facebook page.
Accessibility
If you are planning to attend this event and would like details on how to get here and what time to arrive, as well as on accessibility and special requirements, please refer to LSE Events FAQ. LSE aims to ensure that people have equal access to these public events, but please contact the events organiser as far as possible in advance if you have any access requirements so that arrangements, where possible, can be made. If the event is ticketed, please ensure you get in touch in advance of the ticket release date. Access Guides to all our venues can be viewed online.
WIFI Access
LSE has now introduced wireless for guests and visitors in association with 'The Cloud', also in use at many other locations across the UK. If you are on campus visiting for the day or attending a conference or event, you can connect your device to wireless. See more information and create an account at Join the Cloud.
Visitors from other participating institutions are encouraged to use eduroam. If you are having trouble connecting to eduroam, please contact your home institution for assistance.
The Cloud is only intended for guest and visitor access to wifi. Existing LSE staff and students are encouraged to use eduroam instead.
Whilst we are hosting this listing, LSE Events does not take responsibility for the running and administration of this event. While we take responsible measures to ensure that accurate information is given here (for instance by checking that the room has been booked) this event is ultimately the responsibility of the organisation presenting the event.