EU492      Half Unit
Political Economy of Integration and Fragmentation in Europe

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Dr Vassilis Monastiriotis

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World, MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World (LSE and Fudan) and MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.

To apply for a place, ALL students should submit a statement via LSE for You outlining your specific reasons for applying, how it will benefit your academic/career goals, and how you meet any necessary pre-requisites (maximum 200 words). 

Course content

The course examines the politics and economics of policy formation in the EU, looking at two types of management issues: the management of crises (Eurozone, migration, Brexit, COVID-19) and the management of globalisation (new social risks, entrepreneurial discovery, trade relations, international investment, EU neighbourhood). It discusses key contemporary questions for the political economy of Europe, based on the concepts and empirical knowledge acquired in either EU455 or EU491; and brings students up to date with the key policy challenges facing the European (political) economy today.

Teaching

15 hours of seminars and 10 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.
1.5 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.

A review session will be held at the start of the Spring Term to prepare for the e-exam.

Formative assessment

Essay (1200 words)

Indicative reading

  • Alesina A. and Giavazzi F. (2006) The Future of Europe: Reform or Decline?, Cambridge Mass.: MIT Press
  • Bickerton, C. (2012) European Integration: From Nation States to Member States, Oxford: OUP
  • Blyth M. (2013) Austerity: the History of a Dangerous Idea, Oxford: OUP
  • De Grauwe P. (2014), The Economics of Monetary Union, Oxford University Press (10th edition)
  • Dinan, D. (2004): Europe Recast: A History of the European Union, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Dinan D. (2010), Ever Closer Union: an introduction to European integration, Palgrave MacMillan (4th edition)
  • Dyson K. and Featherstone K. (1999): The Road to Maastricht, Introduction, Oxford University Press.
  • Eichengreen B. (2007), The European Economy Since 1945: coordinated capitalism and beyond, Princeton University Press
  • Majone, G. (2014) Rethinking the Union of Europe Post-Crisis: Has Integration gone too far?, Cambridge: CUP

Assessment

Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period

The summative assessment will take the form of an e-exam in the Spring Term. E-exams are assessments run under invigilated exam conditions on campus. Students will complete the assessment using software downloaded to their personal laptops.


Key facts

Department: European Institute

Course Study Period: Winter Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ Level: Level 7

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 83

Average class size 2024/25: 17

Controlled access 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication