Politics in the European Union

This course provides an advanced introduction to the politics of the European Union and its member states. It explores the EU as a distinctive political entity shaped by both supranational and domestic political dynamics. Topics include theories of integration, the institutional architecture of the EU, debates about its democratic legitimacy, and the development of its socio-economic and foreign policy agendas. The second half of the course shifts focus to the internal politics of key member states, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and selected Central and Eastern European countries, examining how national dynamics intersect with broader European challenges. The course pays particular attention to sovereignty, immigration, and democratic backsliding as thematic entry points for comparative analysis.