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Lehrende: Dr. Markus Patberg
Veranstaltungsart:
Interaktive Lehrveranstaltung
Anzeige im Stundenplan:
PEP 9
Semesterwochenstunden:
2
Credits:
6,0
Unterrichtssprache:
Englisch
Min. | Max. Teilnehmerzahl:
- | 34
Kommentare/ Inhalte:
In this seminar we will focus on the European Union to inquire into one of the key issues of political theory: the legitimacy of collectively binding decision-making. In terms of its competences, the EU is the most advanced form of public authority at the supra-state level. Thus, it is a paradigm case for the normative problems that arise from the denationalization of politics. As the EU’s right to rule is constantly scrutinized and challenged in academic debates as well as in public discourse, the example will enable us to delve into the complex relationship between normative ideals and concrete practice that characterizes analysis in political theory. We will begin by familiarizing ourselves with the methodological self-understanding and core concepts of (international) political theory, such as democracy, legitimacy, and sovereignty. Subsequently, we will examine the EU’s ‘democratic deficit’ and various proposals for countering it, in particular regional cosmopolitanism, demoi-cracy, and ‘split’ popular sovereignty. Finally, we will use our newly acquired knowledge in order to assess the democratic legitimacy of Brexit and its implications for the future of the EU.
Lernziel:
- Understanding the key problems of democracy in the EU and the relationship between normative ideals and concrete practice
- Gaining the ability to reconstruct, understand, analyze, and assess complex texts and arguments in political theory
- Practicing the development of sophisticated arguments and the production of texts in political theory
Vorgehen:
This is a discussion-based seminar. It is expected that students carefully go through all of the assigned readings and actively participate in class discussion. For most sessions, one or more students will write a position paper (5-6 pages) that responds to the readings assigned for that week and makes a cogent argument with respect to one particular issue raised by the text(s). These papers will serve as basis for presentations and the authors will be expected to take a leading role in our discussion for that week. A few sessions will be based on group work where short statements for discussion are prepared in class.
Literatur:
A detailed list of readings will be distributed in the first session. The course does not presuppose in-depth knowledge of the European Union. However, if you are not familiar with the EU’s political system, you are advised to read the following text (available on STiNE; see below):
- Pinder, John/Usherwood, Simon (2013): The European Union. A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 1-69.
In preparation for the first session, please take a look at the following documents (available on STiNE; see first session):
- DiEM25 (2016): The EU will be Democratised. Or it will Disintegrate! A Manifesto for Democratising Europe.
- European Commission (2017): White Paper on the Future of Europe. Reflections and Scenarios for the EU27 by 2025.
Zusätzliche Hinweise zu Prüfungen:
To be approved for the final exam, students are required to complete the following coursework: participation in seminar discussion, position paper, presentation. The final exam is a term paper (12-15 pages) due on March 31, 2018.
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