The European Union and the West : main challenges in XXI century

ogólnouniwersyteckie

The students should have good knowledge of international relations and basic knowledge of economic-social background for political decision making processes.

The 15-hour course (7 sessions) aims to present and discuss the main challenges for the western world in XXI century. Special attention will be given to the EU and its relations with the most important global players with possible scenarios for the future. Moreover, the students will discuss the consequences of the Forth Industrial revolution for the political practice and public sphere.

1. Global (dis)order: the world in the year 2019 – main characteristics. From bipolar via unipolar towards multipolar or bipolar again? Unilateralism versus multilateralism. The West and the Rest.

2. The EU: main challenges in 2019.

3. The West and the rest: EU in the new global order

4. The EU reforms: main scenarios (Macron, Orban, Rutte).

5. A power shift from Atlantic towards Pacific? Socio-economic overview.

6. The transatlantic relations under Trump, main challenges and divisions.

7. US – China competition: challenges and perspectives. Trade war, high-tech rivalry, political tensions.

8. European Union and Asian giants: China and India.

9. EU relations with Russia, Middle East, Africa – main challenges and possible scenarios.

10. Forth industrial revolution and its consequences for politics and society.

1. Parag Khanna, The Future is Asian. Global Order in the XXI century, 2019

2. Harari Noah, 21 lessons for 21 century, 2018

3. Ivan Krastev, After Europe, 2017

4. Schwab Klaus, Forth industrial revolution, 2016

5. Kaplan Robert, Asian cauldron, 2014

• The students will get knowledge about complexity of the current world order as well as increase knowledge about the most important challenges for the European Union and the West in the next decade.

• The students will get ability to analyse facts and data re: international relations as well as reflect on their meaning for the strategies of the state actors.

• The student will learn to debate and present in public their arguments re: international relations and foreign policy.

• Oral exam

• Overall performance in the class.