WP 4

This seminar analyzes traditional patterns and more recent developments in European Union (EU) budgetary politics. While the size and means of the European-level budget have been and remain fairly limited, the EU has increasingly found ways to connect budgetary resources with member-state actions and the pursuit of common policy objectives. Building on governance approaches in the political science and European integration literature, this seminar takes stock of and seeks to explain patterns of EU budgetary politics. The seminar starts with a focus on classical budgetary policies in the form of the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy. It then looks at historical budgetary battles, including the British budgetary rebate question and negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework. In its final part, the seminar turns to more recent developments and researches the “Next Generation EU” pandemic recovery package as well as the “RePowerEU” instrument to address the recent energy crisis. The seminar will provide students with an overview and detailed knowledge about key aspects of EU budgetary politics. Covering the main actors, developments, and controversies, it connects theoretical approaches to budgetary politics with in-depth case studies on selected historical and more recent events. No detailed knowledge about the EU or budgetary politics is required. However, students are expected to carefully read the assigned readings, take notes, and formulate questions that can then be discussed in class.

The course will take place on Tuesdays from 10-12 c.t. in Room C 003