European Integration: History and Theory

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This course analyses European integration from the late 1940s until today. In a chronological order, it introduces students to themes such as security, economic integration and enlargement that continue to influence European integration in the present. In parallel, it also provides an overview of the main theories explaining (aspects of) European integration related to these themes, including ‘big theories’ such as neofunctionalism and neorealism, but also theories dealing with issues such as democratic legitimacy and the EU’s normative power. While firmly based in history, the sessions continuously will seek to also reflect on the relation between past processes and current developments, such as Brexit or the Rule of law crisis, as they are unfolding. The course closes with a critical discussion on the main challenges European integration is faced with today and the views developed for its future development.