EU446      Half Unit
The Political Economy of European Monetary Integration

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Paul De Grauwe CBG 6.12

Availability

This course is available on the MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MPA in Social Impact, MSc in European and International Public Policy, MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Bocconi), MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (International Employment Relations and Human Resource Management), MSc in Political Economy of Europe, MSc in Political Economy of Europe (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Political Science and Political Economy and MSc in The Global Political Economy of China and Europe (LSE and Fudan). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Pre-requisites

A basic understanding of macroeconomics is essential, which is why the auditing of the EU409 Moodle course is highly recommended.

Course content

The purpose of this course is to analyse the process of European monetary integration and its implications for the institutions of economic governance in the EU. There will be a strong emphasis on using the experience of the financial and economic crises since 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic as sources of evidence to assess both the performance of EMU and the theories about monetary integration. We consider the political and economic rationale for the establishment of EMU. We study the theory of optimal currency areas and its relevance today.  In particular, we study the incomplete nature of the Eurozone and how this incompleteness is a source of instability. Indicative questions addressed in this course include: how and why did the EU develop the EMU project? Did economic theories prepare us for the Euro area crisis of 2010-12? What are the challenges for member states in adjusting to the discipline of the 'Euro-zone'? How does the Euro affect the ability of member states to adjust to periods of crisis and to external shocks, in particular to a shock such as the COVID-19 pandemic? Is the sovereign debt crisis of 2010 indicative of imbalances within the EU and basic flaws in its institutional design? What are the collective action problems that explain the incompleteness of the monetary union? What is the role of the ECB in this process? Is a fiscal union necessary to make a monetary union sustainable in the long run?

Teaching

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 27.5 hours across Michaelmas Term.  This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of recorded lectures, flipped lectures (online discussion of lecture materials), and in-person and/or virtual seminars. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of the Michaelmas Term.

Formative coursework

One 2,000-word essay and one group essay of up to 3,000 words.

Indicative reading

Paul De Grauwe (2020) The Economics of Monetary Union (Oxford University Press, 13th ed.); Kenneth Dyson and Kevin Featherstone (1999) The Road to Maastricht, OUP; Waltraud Schelkle (2017) The Political Economy of Monetary Solidarity, Understanding the Euro Experiment, Oxford University Press; Special issue (2006): 'Economic Governance in EMU Revisited', Journal of Common Market Studies vol.44, No.4 (November);; Jean Pisani-Ferry (2014) The Euro Crisis and Its Aftermath, Oxford University Press.

Assessment

Online assessment (100%) in the ST.

The online assessment for this course will be administered via Moodle.  Questions will be made available at a set date/time and students will be given a set period in the ST to complete the answers to questions and upload their responses back into Moodle. 

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: European Institute

Total students 2019/20: 57

Average class size 2019/20: 14

Controlled access 2019/20: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills