European University Institute – philipp.genschel@eui.eu
“More integration, less federation. The European Integration of Core state powers”
We map the pattern and extent of the European integration of core state powers (coercive force, public finance and public administration) and analyse causes and consequences. We highlight two findings: first, in contrast to historical examples of federal state-building, where the nationalization of core state powers precipitated the institutional, territorial and political consolidation of the emerging state, the European integration of core state powers is associated with the institutional, territorial and political fragmentation of the European Union. Second, in contrast to European market integration, state élites and mass publics, not organized business interests, are the prime drivers of integration.
Background readings:
Philipp Genschel & Markus Jachtenfuchs (2015): More integration, less federation: the European integration of core state powers, Journal of European Public Policy Read here
Genschel & Jachtenfuchs (eds.) 2014: Beyond the regulatory polity? The European Integration of Core State Powers. Oxford: OUP
Bickerton, Hodson & Puetter (2015): The new intergovernmentalism: European integration in the post-Maastricht era’, Journal of Common Market Studies
Hooghe, L. and Marks, G. (2009) ‘A postfunctionalist theory of European integration: from permissive consensus to constraining dissensus’, British Journal of Political Science. Read here
Università di Bologna – paolo.manasse@unibo.it
“Sovereign Debt Crises and Deficit Limits: an European case”
This paper argues that fiscal convergence in the Euro area has been achieved at the expenses of real divergence in unemployment, investment and, at least temporarily, growth. Statistical and econometric analysis supports the view that the current fiscal framework addressed debt sustainability concerns, but imparted a pro-cyclical bias, which contributed to economic divergence. The recent flexibility guidelines are a step in the right direction, but they are unlikely to have sizable effects. A reform of the fiscal framework and a mechanism for an intra-European unemployment insurance scheme is proposed.
Background readings:
P. Manasse, 2015. “Debt sustainability and economic convergence of euro-area Member States: Challenges and Solutions,” Economic Governance Support Unit, European Union. Read here
P. Manasse, 2015. “Writing off, Restructuring or Refinancing the Debt? The IMF’s role in the Greek Debt Crisis,”
Working Papers wp1042, Dipartimento Scienze Economiche, Universita’ di Bologna. Read here
Critical European Thinking 