What role will the 'regions' play in the emerging governance structures of the European Union? This free course, A Europe of the Regions?, examines the rise of the regions and regionalism in Western Europe. You will look at the possible development pathways for Europe: will it become a federal super-state or a decentralised 'Europe of the Regions'?
Course learning outcomes
After studying this course, you should be able to:
recognise the varieties of region and sub-state nations that exist within Europe
explain the growth of regionalism
critically assess the view that what is evolving is a 'Europe of the Regions'
engage better with debates about the future direction of Europe, and the place of your nation or 'region' within it
improve your skills of academic reading and note taking for future use.
I took this course immediately after studying "Europe and the Law". This course also looks mainly at the time prior to the Lisbon Treaty in October 2004 (25 members) and the subsequent enlargement to 27 members in January 2007. It brings into focus why there are problems in implementing the Federalist visions of e.g. Jacques Delors and the +/- options that exist or existed at the time. What constitutes a tenable region that is tenable - is one issue. Our own devolved structure in this context is of interest (to me anyway).