Dr V Monastiriotis, COW. J205

Optional course for MSc European Political Economy, MSc Politics and Government in the European Union, MSc European Studies: Ideas and Identities, MPA Programme (all streams), MSc Local Economic Development, LSE-Sciences Po Double Degree in Urban Policy and LSE-Sciences Po Double Degree in European Studies programmes. Other masters students may take this course with the permission of the teacher responsible.

This is a capped course (15 students). Students are required to obtain permission from the teaching department to take this course.

A basic understanding of economics is desirable but not necessary.

The course examines the processes of transition, regional cooperation and European association in the SEE region and draws on theories of regionalism, economic integration and transition to assess the extent and prospects of economic integration and development in Southeast Europe. It explores the production structures and capabilities the region; the country disparities in macro-economic performance; developments in trade, migration and investment flows in the region; the design and compatibility of national economic policies and institutions; the coordination of policies at the European and regional levels; and the structural problems of economic transition, integration and convergence. Attention is paid to Greece as the historical EU partner in SE Europe and its role for the economic development and European integration of the region. The course relates the above issues to the question of policy harmonisation and Europeanisation of the region, in relation to the current and future waves of enlargement of the EU.

10 lectures (weekly, MT); 10 seminars (weekly, MT); one revision seminar (ST).

One 1,500 word essay and a group presentation and written report (1,500 words).

Molle W. (2001), The Economics of European Integration: theory, practice, policy (4th edition), Ashgate; Petrakos G. and Totev S. (eds) (2001), The Development of the Balkan Region, Aldershot; Anastasakis O. and Bojicic-Dzelilovic V. (2002), Balkan Regional Cooperation and European Integration, Hellenic Observatory, LSE; Bartlett W. (2007), Europe's Troubled Region: Economic Development, Institutional Reform, and Social Welfare in the Western Balkans, Routledge; Monastiriotis V. (2008), EU Accession, Regional Cooperation and the need for a Balkan Development Strategy, GreeSE Paper No10, LSE.

One two-hour written examination in June.