European Integration

**European integration - key theories and debates** The course deepens our knowledge of integration in Europe as a political problem. It departs from classic debates on the driving forces of European integration and the democratic deficit of the European Union. The course addresses a number of key controversies in the research on the EU, from the early days of European integration to the current crises. The course covers three main themes: First, theories of European integration and supranational governance: How can European integration be described and explained? How has integration been used to further economic and political cooperation, and how has the EU worked to promote itself as a major player on the global stage? Second, the problems of democracy and legitimacy in the EU: How democratic and legitimate is the EU as a political system? Is it possible and desirable to democratise the EU? What possible solutions are at hand for meeting the EUs current challenges? Third, how does the EU work as a representative political system? What channels for representation and participation exist at the EU level? Are there any differences between the EU and the member states in this regard?