POS.2002 European Politics
In the early part of the 21st century Europe was regarded as a powerful, unified economic juggernaut, complemented by a commitment to democratic values and an advocate of soft power options in foreign affairs. By the late 2010s the momentum for European unification has stalled and the future of the "European project" is being questioned by the rise of nationalist-populist parties. Migration has become a major issue as Europe readjusts the major changes in the surrounding regions, including the Middle East and Eurasia. Moreover, the United Kingdom held a referendum in 2016 on whether it should remain part of the European Union or leave. Considering Europe's economic importance, the engagement of European companies in the U.S., and longstanding trans-Atlantic bonds between Europe and the Americas, it is important to have a better understanding of this critical region. This course is designed to provide an understanding of the idea of Europe, the politics of some of its major countries (the UK, Germany, France and Italy), and how European Union organizations operate.
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