Logo UAB
2019/2020

Multilevbel Governance in the European Union

Code: 40895 ECTS Credits: 10
Degree Type Year Semester
4313791 European Integration OT 0 2

Contact

Name:
Ana Mar Fernández Pasarín
Email:
Ana.Fernandez.Pasarin@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
english (eng)

Teachers

Antoni Durà Guimerà
Nuria Font Borrás
Berta Barbet Porta
Enrique Hernandez Jimenez
Ana Mar Fernández Pasarín

External teachers

Javier Arregui
Matteo Berzi
Nuria González Campana
Xavier Ferrer

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge on the process of European integration

 

Objectives and Contextualisation

The theories on Multilevel Governance (GMN) are closely associated with the process of integration of the European Union, considered a single model of political construction based on principles such as the transfer of sovereignty of states and the need for negotiation in all areas of decision. An important part of Multilevel Governance within the EU refers to the participation of sub-state government entities (particularly regions and federal states, and cities and other local levels). These levels interact today in continuous dialogue with state governments and European institutions, establish networks of cooperation among themselves, and even project in the world looking for new strategies of economic development or strengthening projects of solidarity in spaces where sometimes states have a presence hard.
 
The module proposes two main objectives:
 
1. The theoretical study of the GMN concept, based on the following questions: What are we talking about when talking about Multilevel Governance? What are the main theoretical debates on Multilevel Governance and what are the repercussions of the debate on political processes and public policies in the EU? What type of processes and policies in Europe incorporate Multilevel Governance logics, and in what way?
 
2. The application of the concept in the different realities of the GMN at sub-national levels of the EU: the diversity of regional and local political structures and their interaction with European policies, particularly those aimed at cohesion and territorial integration. Thus, the analysis of the theoretical aspects of the GMN is combined with a recognition of the main institutions involved, and with a study of examples and practical experiences around aspects such as sustainable local development, Territorial Cooperation, External Decentralized Cooperation, etc.

Competences

  • Analyse, synthesise, organise and plan projects and assignments related to the area of study.
  • Distinguish the mechanisms and processes of interaction between the different European administrative and political levels (specialisation in Multilevel Governance).
  • Integrate knowledge and use it to make judgements in complex situations, with incomplete information, while keeping in mind social and ethical responsibilities.
  • Prepare and apply for projects with EU funding (specialisation in Multilevel Governance).
  • Seek out information in the scientific literature using appropriate channels, and use this information to formulate and contextualise a research topic.
  • Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse, synthesise, organise and plan projects and assignments related to the area of study.
  2. Identify the effectiveness and legitimacy of the interrelationship between the various political actors.
  3. Identify the results of the interrelationship between the various political actors.
  4. Integrate knowledge and use it to make judgements in complex situations, with incomplete information, while keeping in mind social and ethical responsibilities.
  5. Prepare a simulated project that would be eligible for EU funding.
  6. Seek out information in the scientific literature using appropriate channels, and use this information to formulate and contextualise a research topic.
  7. Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.

Content

The course is divided into seven main sections:
 
I.European integration: An Introduction
The idea of Europe and the historical process of European polity building
 
II. Government and Governance in the EU  
The EU institutional system before and after the Lisbon Treaty
Institutions and EU policy-making
 
III. Theories of European integration
Federalism, supranationalism, intergovernmentalism, liberal intergovernmentalism, new intergovernmentalism, multi-level governance
New institutionalism as an intermediate theory
 
IV. EU Policy-making
Policy-making in the EU (1)
Policy-making in the EU (2)
 
V. Democracy in the EU
Democracy and legitimacy (1)
Democracy and legitimacy (2)
 
VI. Themes and Perspectives
European elections
Populism and Euroscepticism
Brexit
Migrations
Internal Secession (1)
Internal Secession (2)
 
VII. Multilevel governance
Regional Policy
Rural spaces: Common Agricultural Policy
Urban policies
European Territorial Cooperation
Cross-Border Cooperation
External Borders: Mediterranean

Methodology

The methodology is based on the following learning activities:

- Activities in the classrroom directed by the faculty, during the scheduled time during the semester. These ativities can be theoretical or practical. Theoretical activities consist of presentations by professors followed by discussions. For proper development of the activity, prior reading of the literature and related materials is required. Practical ativities will consist of oral presentations and data collection exercises.

- Activities performed by students under the supervision of the professor. These activities mostly include the elaboration of papers.

- Autonomous activities performed by students, both individually and collectivelly. Students will organize their time and work. These activities include readings and study of bibligraphy, data search, preparation of oral presentations and preparation of evaluation activities.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Lectures and seminars 47 1.88 4, 7
Type: Supervised      
Final research paper 50 2 5
Type: Autonomous      
Readings and collection of data 150 6 1, 6, 3, 4, 7

Assessment

The evaluation is based on individual assessments on compulsory readings, lectures content and cases studies (50%) and the writing of a final research paper (50%).
 
IMPORTANT: Attendance is compulsory (at least 80% of the sessions).
 

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Final research paper 50% 0 0 1, 6, 3, 4, 7
Individual assessments on compulsory readings, lectures content and case studies 50% 3 0.12 5, 3, 4, 7, 2

Bibliography

At the beginning of the course, a list with the compulsory readings will be uploaded on the campus virtual

Remedial readings:

Bomberg, E., J. Peterson and A. Stubb (eds) (2008), The European Union: How Does it Work?, Oxford University Press.

Cini, M. (ed) (2009), European Union Politics, Oxford University Press.

Dinan,D. (2004), Europe Recast. A History of European Union, Palgrave Macmillan.

Dinan, D. (2005), Ever closer union?: An introduction to European integration, Boulder. Co.

Hix,S. And B. Hoyland (2012), The Political System of the European Union, Palgrave (Spanish version in McGraw Hill).

Nugent, N. (2010), The Government and Politics of the European Union, Palgrave Macmillan.