INTR13-314: The New Europe

This subject introduces you to the political, strategic and economic factors underlying wider Europe, and the way Europe interacts with the adjacent regions. Profound changes have shaped contemporary European affairs since 1989. The fall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the emergence of a single European Union have changed the face of global politics and economics. With the expansion of the EU eastwards, new challenges faced Europe as it sought to integrate diverse cultures, create shared foreign policy positions, and enhance its own defence and security. You will explore issues of national identity, social diversity, and divergent views on integration, with the EU’s limited expansion and integration, most notably with the Brexit crisis. The subject examines topics including a study of the formation of the European Union, its current institutions, its relations with the US, NATO, Russia and the Middle East. You will also learn about the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Common Security and Defence Policy, the current roles of Germany and France, migration issues, and the way the EU has sought to position itself as a global power.