Â鶹Éç

Themen der Lehrveranstaltung
MODULE I: Theoretical Foundations and the Evolution of International Trade Context and globalisation of value chains Introduction to international economic policy. Macroeconomic indicators of interdependence. Structure and breakdown of Global Value Chains. Historical analysis of the structural integration of the transition economies of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet bloc. Classical thought and models of specialisation Moving beyond the mercantilist paradigm. Adam Smith’s theory of absolute advantage and David Ricardo’s law of comparative advantage, with an analytical examination of the concept of opportunity cost and labour productivity differentials. The neoclassical approach and distributional effects The Heckscher-Ohlin model: the impact of relative endowments of production factors (capital, labour, resources) on national specialisations. Examination of distributional effects within nations and impact on factor remuneration. New trade theories and frontier dynamics Paul Krugman’s models of economies of scale and imperfect competition. The current geo-economic landscape: academic analysis of systemic shocks and an introduction to de-risking, near-shoring and friend-shoring strategies. Demographic trends in India and China. MODULE II: Trade Governance and Multilateral Rules (The WTO System) The institutional architecture: from GATT to the WTO Historical and economic overview of international trade cooperation from GATT (1947) to the establishment of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995. The regulatory pillars of non-discrimination: the most-favoured-nation clause and national treatment. Global negotiations and the stalemate in multilateralism The functioning of multilateral negotiation rounds (Trade Rounds). In-depth analysis of the Doha Development Agenda: the macroeconomic causes of the stalemate and the asymmetries between advanced economies and emerging markets in the agricultural and intellectual property sectors. Dispute settlement mechanisms and new trends The functioning of the Dispute Settlement Body and the current paralysis of the Appellate Body. The rise of plurilateral and sectoral agreements as a response and partial alternative to the global negotiating deadlock.

Unterrichtsform
The course adopts a highly interactive approach. The theoretical and formal framework of economic models will be complemented throughout by guided analysis of official macroeconomic datasets (from sources such as the WTO, IMF and World Bank) and group discussions of real-world case studies relating to international trade disputes, bilateral agreements and the application of current tariff regulations .

Bildungsziele
MODULE III: EU Trade Policy and New Strategic Paradigms European governance and Open Strategic Autonomy The Common Commercial Policy (CCP) as an exclusive competence of the European Union. The role of the European Commission and the doctrinal shift towards Open Strategic Autonomy to strike a balance between open markets and security of supply. The network of new-generation bilateral and regional agreements Analysis and structural characteristics of the European Union’s preferential trade agreements: CETA (Canada), transatlantic prospects (TTIP) and preferential agreements concluded with the dynamic markets of Asia (Japan, South Korea, Vietnam). The dilemma of bilateralism: Building blocks vs Stumbling blocks The international economic debate on the effects of regional integration: do free trade agreements act as accelerators of global liberalisation or do they act as elements of distortion and discriminatory fragmentation of global trade flows? Intellectual property, ethical safeguards and regional promotion The TRIPS Agreement and patent protection. Policies for the qualitative promotion of products: the defence and recognition of Geographical Indications (GI) and designations of origin in third markets as a lever for competitiveness. Trade policy, ecological transition and future challenges The convergence of trade policies and environmental sustainability. Analysis of new-generation European regulatory instruments: the functioning of the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) against the risks of carbon leakage.

Art der Prüfung
Given the time constraints of the examination session (maximum duration: 1 hour), the final written exam is structured in a focused and concise manner to assess students’ ability to summarise and critically analyse material, whilst making the most of the time available. The exam consists of: - Short-answer questions: focused on testing the analytical concepts studied, with particular reference to traditional models (Smith, Ricardo, Heckscher-Ohlin) and the introduction of new theories of international trade (Krugman). - A brief critical summary: aimed at assessing understanding of global asymmetries, negotiating equity and market governance (with explicit reference to the critical contributions of Joseph Stiglitz on globalisation), applied to a current strategic choice in the European Union’s trade policy.

Bewertungskriterien
Short-answer questions: focused on assessing the analytical frameworks studied, with particular reference to traditional models (Smith, Ricardo, Heckscher-Ohlin) and the introduction of new theories of international trade (Krugman). - A brief critical summary: aimed at assessing understanding of global asymmetries, negotiating equity and market governance (with explicit reference to Joseph Stiglitz’s critical contributions on globalisation), applied to a current strategic choice in the European Union’s trade policy.

Pflichtliteratur

Official lecture notes and critical readings provided by the lecturer

Weitere Informationen
Official handouts and critical readings provided by the lecturer