HS/PO 344 - Europe: The Dynamics of Integration

Today’s EU is the result of a long development of European integration. The idea itself can be traced back to the 14th century, but only developed political momentum after WW I and was finally put into place after WW II. Keeping the peace and Economic prosperity among European countries were driving factors of the idea from the beginning. The establishment of the EEC in 1957 thus far kept this promise and provided Europe with over 55 years of peace and increasing prosperity, first in the western parts and after 1989 extending it step by step to all of Europe. This course will examine the dynamics of this ever-deeper and wider integration and discuss the idea of a European “Manifest Destiny”.