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The European Union in the New Millennium

by La Trobe University

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Course Description

European integration has been hailed as ‘the most ambitious and most successful example of peaceful international cooperation in world history’. In this subject students are introduced to this process and its result, the European Union, through different disciplinary lenses. For example, the common European currency, and the project of a Europe without boundaries are addressed not just in terms of history, economics and law but also in relation to their sociological implications for European identity and for member-states’ sovereignty. We will study EU’s global ambitions from an International Relations perspective and contemplate its future in the light of present crises.

Name Description Time Price

1 Legal Order in the EU The European Union works as a legal order. The issues discussed include the role that the European Court of Justice played in the process of integration and the recent attempts at constitutionalisation of Europe. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with Dr. Gonzalo Villalta Puig of the University of Hull. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 43:45 Free View In iTunes

2 Australia's Partnership with the EU Why Europe is an important partner for Australia and personal experience about working for the Union. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with Ms Hunter and Mr Richards (Advisor and Acting Head of the European Commision's Delegation to Australia and New Zealand). For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 49:13 Free View In iTunes

3 Small Member States Within the EU The predicament of small member states that recently joined the European Union by drawing on the Hungarian experience. The interview also deals with the question of national and European identity and whether and how they can complement each other. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with H.E. Gabor Csaba, Hungarian Ambassador to Australia, The interview entails short excerpt from a Sky News interview, in which Stefan Auer discusses the advantages of EU membership for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The interview was recorded in Dublin on 2 May 2004. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 46:54 Free View In iTunes

4 Ireland's Experiences in the EU The exceedingly positive experience that his country has had as an EU member state. Also the Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and its possible outcomes in Ireland (The interview was recorded before the Irish Referendum). Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with HE Máirtín Ó Fainín, the Irish Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand. The interview entails short recordings produced in Dublin on 25 April 2008, in which Dr Stefan Auer interviewed his former distinguished colleagues from the University College Dublin (UCD): Dr Tobias Theiler and Prof Tom Garvin. The former was recorded on the premises of the Trinity College, Dublin; the latter in the famous UCD common room, in which Prof Garvin spends considerable amount of time. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 45:25 Free View In iTunes

5 Global Influence of the EU The European Union as an international player and its role in addressing key global challenges, such as climate change. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with Assoc. Professor Nick Bisley, Politics and International Relations, La Trobe University. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 47:51 Free View In iTunes

6 British Perspective on the EU The British’s love-hate relationship with the EU, the EU-Australia relationship, and how British perspectives have shaped this relationship. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU Centre, La Trobe University) and Peter West (British Consulate General). For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2008 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 47:06 Free View In iTunes

7 Education Policies of the EU the education policies of the European Union, and to what extent they seek to contribute to the creation of European citizens. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University, with Mr Bodo Richter, European Commission, DG Education and Culture. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 44:56 Free View In iTunes

8 Australian Markets Engaging with the EU Australia faces a number of challenges when engaging with countries within the EU for trade, differences in culture and language being at the forefront. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University, and Lino Strangis, Manager, International liaison, Europe, Middle East, Africa Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 43:14 Free View In iTunes

9 The Global Financial Crisis and the EU The challenges of the current financial crisis, the impact of the EU enlargement and the prospects for the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. Fraser Cameron also discussed the EU as a global player in relation to the US, Russia and China. Dr. Cameron is a former European Commission advisor and well-known policy analyst and commentator on EU and international affairs. He is Director of EuroFocus-Brussels, an Adjunct Professor at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, and Senior Advisor to the European Policy Centre (EPC) in Brussels. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 55:43 Free View In iTunes

10 British Attitudes Towards the EU British attitudes towards the EU, the questions of democratic legitimacy and the importance of European identity for the EU. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University, with Dr Michael Bruter, London School of Economics For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 55:53 Free View In iTunes

11 Impartiality Within the EU How do people working for the EU ensure that they treat all countries fairly and impartially? Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with H.E. David Daly, EU Ambassador to Australia and Mr. Alan Seatter, Director, External Affairs, European Commission. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 53:54 Free View In iTunes

12 The Balkans and the EU This talk focuses on the position of the Balkan states that emerged from the former Yugoslavia in relation to the EU. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University, with Associate Professor Sasha Pavkovic, Macquarie University. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 49:17 Free View In iTunes

13 The Legal Perspective on the EU How international law works with European Union law. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University, with Professor Rafaelle Torino, Roma Tre University. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 36:21 Free View In iTunes

14 Sweden's Position in the EU Sweden as a ‘reluctant European’, and the virtues and disadvantages of the ‘Swedish model’. The interview also dealt with the impact that the global economic crisis has had on Sweden and whether it is advantageous for the country to be outside the Eurozone. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with H.E. Sven-Olof Petersson, Swedish Ambassador to Australia. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 52:57 Free View In iTunes

15 Corruption Within the EU Corruption in the countries of postcommunist Europe as well as in the EU at large. Another aspect of the interview dealt with the EU-Russia relationship. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with Professor Leslie Holmes, Deputy Director of the Contemporary Europe Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2009 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 38:58 Free View In iTunes

16 Germany and the Making of the EU In this interview, we begin by speaking to Proessor Heinrich Best (Jena University) about his personal experience of growing up in West Germany, and his early fascination for all things French. This led to a discussion about the European project in its early stages and the challenges that Europe faced after the demise of communism. We then talked about the collapse of the Berlin wall and the German unification of 1990. In the last section, we discussed the growing divide between European elites and the peoples of Europe and the way in which national identity can strengthen commitment to Europe at large. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with Professor Leslie Holmes, Deputy Director of the Contemporary Europe Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2010 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 46:46 Free View In iTunes

17 An Italian Perspective on the EU The interview began with Mr Pistelli reflecting on the differences between being a MEP and a national MP, based on his personal experience of both the Italian Parliament and the European Parliament. He noted one important distinction: MPs make law and MEPs only participate in making law. He went on to elaborate on other differences between MPs and MEPs, specifically in terms of national profiles and the road to election. He also talked about the way the various alliances and blocs form in the European Parliament. From there the conversation turned to perceptions of the EU in Italy and the Union’s general problems in being perceived as relevant by European citizens. Mr Pistelli contended that member state politicians were more of a problem for EU relevance than national populations, the latter frequently accepting that many problems, such as climate change, were better handled at the international level. The interview with Dr Stefan Auer also covered the legitimacy of the European project, the question of Turkish accession and the implications of the changes wrought by the Lisbon Treaty. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with Mr Lapo Pistelli, MP For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2010 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 46:46 Free View In iTunes

18 Interview with the EU and Spanish ambassadors to Australia David Daly, EU Ambassador to Australia and H.E. D. Carlos Sánchez de Boado y de la Válgoma, Spanish Ambassador to Australia joined Dr Stefan Auer to discuss the implementation of the recently-ratified Lisbon Treaty, including the role of the new EU foreign service and its relationship with member state delegations. The ambassadors also discussed the economic crisis afflicting the Eurozone, the potential of Greece’s woes to spread to countries such as Spain, Portugal and Ireland, and the future of the common currency. Does the Euro have a future? For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2010 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 58:03 Free View In iTunes

Is the European Union on the Brink?

Dr Stefan Auer talks about the future of the European Union, its current situation and currency problems, and how it all began. Copyright 2010 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

15:01

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20 Ireland, Germany, and Stability Within the EU Professor Wolfgang Merkel (Politics, Humboldt University) interviewed by Dr Stefan Auer (European and Historical Studies, La Trobe University). Focus is on the current challenges to European integration and what impact they might have on the European social model. It also deals with the bail-out of Ireland that is neither popular in Germany, nor Ireland. Copyright 2010 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. The recording includes a marvellous song that captures the Irish response to the crisis better than anything: ‘The Bailout Song: The Country’s if Fecked’ by Hi Sir! We gratefully acknowledge hisirtunes’ permission to reproduce the song here. 45:02 Free View In iTunes

21 Economics of the EU Dr Jan Libich (School of Economics and Finance, La Trobe University) talks to Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU Centre, La Trobe University) and explains the economic theories informing the project of the common European currency, the Euro, and the way in which the violation of basic rules (the Maastricht criteria) has potentially undermined its viability. He discusses why one-fits-all monetary policy may not be optimal in the Union, and how further harmonization of fiscal policies could improve the economic performance of the Eurozone. Copyright 2011 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 49:09 Free View In iTunes

22 Should the Euro be Abandoned? Dr Oliver Hartwich (Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney) explains to Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU Centre, La Trobe University) how the Eurozone has damaged the economic interests of participating member states. Will underperforming economies with unsustainable levels of sovereign debt, such as Greece and Portugal, ever regain their competiveness? Is Iceland in a better shape today (as of April 2011) than Ireland owing to the fact that it never entered the EU and the Eurozone? Was British Euro-scepticism justified in its weariness towards the common European currency? Will Spain need a bailout too? (Dr Hartwich dared a prediction that it will before the end of 2011). Copyright 2011 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 55:08 Free View In iTunes

23 EU, Hungary and the Role of EU Presidency H.E. Gabor Csaba (Hungarian ambassador to Australia), and Stefan Auer (La Trobe University) on the role of small member states in the EU and the way in which their influence is enhanced through the institution of EU rotating presidency. Also discussed were the priorities of the Hungarian EU presidency, such as further enlargements and the expansion of the Schengen area, as well as the plans for economic governance. Copyright 2011 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 47:16 Free View In iTunes

24 Constitutionalism and Democracy in the EU Professor Juergen Broehmer (University of New England) talks to Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University) about the EU's legal dimension, particularly the process of constitutionalism. The interview focused on German constitutional court and its decisions, as well as the changing role of Germany within the EU. For example, is there a danger of the German Constitutional Court undermining the rescue efforts of the Eurozone, if they end up violating the provisions of the Maastricht Treaty (no to bail-outs and the 'Transferunion')? Copyright 2011 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 50:10 Free View In iTunes

25 Common Currency and the EU Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett (Economics, George Masson and St Andrew's Universities), talks to Dr Jan Libich (Economics, La Trobe University) about the state of the European Union, the common currency, and possible future scenarios. Support from the Australian Research Council is gratefully acknowledged. Copyright 2011 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 55:01 Free View In iTunes

26 What's Wrong with the EU and How to Fix it Professor Simon Hix (London School of Economics) revisits the key arguments of his influential study ‘What’s Wrong with the European Union and How to Fix It’ (2008) against the background of the deteriorating crisis in the Eurozone. In the conversation with Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University), Hix maintains that Europe needs more political contestation, which can be accomplished within the existing institutional architecture. Recorded in Dublin in June 2011. Copyright 2011 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 19:31 Free View In iTunes

27 The EU System of Governance Dr Robert Thomson (Trinity College Dublin) talks to Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University) about the EU system of governance and the power relations between the key EU institutions, such as the EU Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Council. Also discussed is the impact of the 2004 enlargement and the 2010-11 Eurozone crisis on the EU’s decision-making processes. Recorded in Dublin in June 2011. Copyright 2011 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 27:38 Free View In iTunes

28 Australia's relationship with the EU Dr Brendan Nelson (Australian Ambassador to the EU) talks with Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University) on the changing nature of Australian-EU relationship against the background of the transformation that the EU underwent owing to the Lisbon Treaty. The EU is keen to strengthen its role as a global player and sees in Australia, according to Dr Nelson, an important ally in key areas, such as environmental policies (including with respect to the climate change), education, research and development. Australian attitudes towards the EU have improved significantly and are no longer defined by divisive issues, such as the Common Agricultural Policy. Copyright 2011 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 17:45 Free View In iTunes

29 Franco-German relations and the EU Professor Doug Webber (INSEAD) speaks with Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University) on the Franco-German relationship, from the early stages of European integration to the present. It also covers the potential impact of the Eurozone crisis on both the EU's future and the relationship between France and Germany. Copyright 2011 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 54:23 Free View In iTunes

30 Poland and the EU The interview with Dr Stefan Auer focused on Polish relationship with the European Union against the background of its unique historical experience. Going back to the eighteenth Century partition of Poland, the Polish ambassador to Australia, H.E. Andrzej Jaroszyński, addressed the question of Polish national sovereignty in the context of the EU. He also discussed the significance of 1989 for both Poland and Europe. Finally, the interview dealt with the recent tragedy in Katyn and its impact on Polish-Russian relationship. Interview between Dr Stefan Auer, IUEU Centre of La Trobe University with Mr Lapo Pistelli, MP For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2010 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 51:42 Free View In iTunes

31 The United States of Europe? Joschka Fischer (former German Foreign Minister) talks to Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University) about his vision for a future United States of Europe. The discussion, fervent throughout, delves into the both positive and negative aspect of European integration, potential conflict between nationalist and cosmopolitan visions of Europe and the impact of the economic and financial crisis on EU’s future. Recorded in Berlin. Copyright 2011 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 27:12 Free View In iTunes

32 English Attitudes Towards the EU Dr Ben Wellings (School of Politics, ANU) speaks with Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University) about how Euro-scepticism has fused with English nationalism and populism. Also discussed is how the question of European integration has been an ongoing source of division within both major parties: the Labour party as well as the Conservative party, particularly under Margaret Thatcher. Copyright 2011 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 47:38 Free View In iTunes

33 EU, Ireland and why the Celtic Tiger no Longer Roars H.E. Martin O'Fainin (Irish ambassador to Australia) talks to Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University) about the reasons for the dramatically changed fortunes of Ireland in the EU and whether the economic problems, which necessitated the bail-out, will make Irish more Euro-sceptic. Copyright 2011 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 52:44 Free View In iTunes

34 Hungary's Position in the EU Prof Agnes Heller (The New School for Social Research, New York) discusses Hungary’s position in Europe tracing it back to the 1956 uprising with Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University. The interview also dealt with questions of identity and what role nations of Central Europe have played in an enlarged European Union. Furthermore, Prof Heller analysed the setbacks to Hungarian democracy under the current leadership of Viktor Orban (2011), and the concerted effort of Hungarian populist media (supported by the government) to discredit liberal intellectuals in Hungary. Copyright 2011 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 33:40 Free View In iTunes

35 European Identity In a conversation with Dr Stefan Auer, Mr José Ovejero, a distinguished Spanish writer and former EU interpreter, discussed the question of European identity and the relevance of culture for European integration. Mr Ovejero also explained the aims of an original project, in which he took part: the European Constitution in Verse. Other topics include: the challenges of multilingual Europe; the political repercussions of the crisis in the Eurozone; German, Spanish and Belgian perspectives on Europe; the possibility of trans-national solidarity in Europe. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2010 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 44:17 Free View In iTunes

36 Sovereignty Within the EU Professor Dieter Grimm (former German Constitutional Court Judge) talks to Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University) about the legal and political nature of sovereignty within the European Union. The discussion explores the tensions between EU treaties and current EU actions taken to address the economic and financial crisis of the Eurozone. The conversation also deals with the future of the European Union, the idea of a European federation and whether it is possible and desirable to create a European demos. Recorded at the Wissenschaftskolleg in Berlin. Copyright 2011 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 31:49 Free View In iTunes

37 The EU as a Global Player Prof Thomas Risse and Prof Tanja Borzel, (Free University Berlin) talk to Dr Stefan Auer (IUEU, La Trobe University) about the challenges that the EU faces as a global actor in response to the crisis in Libya. Another key topic of conversation was the process of Europeanization and whether and how it is affected by the crisis of the Eurozone. Copyright 2011 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 59:28 Free View In iTunes

38 The Crisis of the Eurozone Interview with Dr Oliver Hartwich, Centre for Independent Studies. The focus of this interview with Stefan Auer was the possible disintegration of the Eurozone owing to the problems with excessive sovereign debt in countries such as Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Dr Hartwich argued that the Eurozone cannot survive for more than another 5-10 years in its present form. The interview also dealt with the EU elites' fallacious assumptions about their ability to outwit the markets and defy the logic of economics. For more information on the IUEU Centre, visit http://www.iueu.edu.au For more information on La Trobe University, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au Copyright 2010 IUEU Centre / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions. 55:29 Free View In iTunes

What is EUrope? Part 1

Dr Stefan Auer (European Studies, La Trobe University) on what is Europe? Can Europe be equated with the European Union? Copyright 2012 Stefan Auer / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.