PS1810 Europe in Transition

Course Description and Objectives

In the 1990s Europe has undergone such monumental change that would have been considered unthinkable just a decade ago. The collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe, the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the disappearance of the Warsaw Pact, the creation of the Single Market along with the Single Currency as well as one of the most savage wars of the 20th century are simply the most widely known and most prominent indicators of the changes that occurred between 1989 and 1999.

These changes are not merely academic concerns but a quick glance at a map will confirm that in the last decade many borders were redrawn. Nations have disappeared and many new ones have been born. Iron Curtains and walls were flung open and nations were tossed from the edges of their world to the center of the continent. Millions of people have started to migrate in search of better jobs, a life without fear or a future for themselves. Simultaneously, 350 million Europeans have taken decisive steps towards creating a new super-state, the European Union, complete with flag, anthem and passport. For example, travelers landing by plane in Paris and continuing on to Berlin, Rome or Vienna no longer need passports. Shoppers in Venice, Munich, Madrid or Dublin will soon start using the same currency. The large urban centers Paris, London, Brussels or Frankfurt have been all linked through a network of bullet trains. Following the economic policies, soon the tax and social policies will become aligned. All this is happening during a period in which the world itself us undergoing dramatic changes brought on by a revolution in technology and global economic developments.

What do these changes mean? These transformations have created many new opportunities but also new strains and stresses for the political, social and economic systems as well as for individual citizens. While some societies have coped well and flourish others have started to founder.

It is the objective of this course to analyze and reflect upon this transformation. We will specifically focus on the following issue areas:

• The Creation of the Single Market

• The Emerging Markets of Eastern Europe

• The Expansion of NATO

• The Role of Ethnicity and Migration

Please note that this is an upper-level course and will be taught on the assumption that you did already take comparative European politics (PS0302) or an equivalent course.

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Course Requirements

• Students will be required to complete one in-class essay exam (25%) during the semester, a cumulative final take home exam (25%) and a research paper (25%).

• Students must attend regularly and must participate in the class discussion (25%).

• Students must prepare a series of researched/prepared Articles on the topics discussed (+/-grade).

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Required Texts

1. Alberta M. Sbragia B Euro-Politics. Brookings Washington DC 1991

2. Almond, Dalton, Powell. European Politics Today. Longman New York City 1999.

3. Course Pack/Reader: Europe In Transition (available at the bookstore).

April 1999
Reinhard Heinisch
heinisch+@pitt.edu