A study of Germany's political economy, characterized as one of the "three locomotives of the world economy," and its role as the strongest member of the EU economically and an "Economic giant" in the world economy. In addition to Germany's relationship to the EU and its role in European economic integration, the course also focuses on Germany's economic relations with the United States and, with increasing importance, the developing countries.
Prerequisites:
Introductory economics
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, students will possess an in depth knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of Germany’s economy in the era of globalization.
Method of presentation:
Lectures, seminars, student presentations
Required work and form of assessment:
Midterm (25%)
final examination (25%),
term paper (30%)
oral participation (20%)
content:
1. The German Economy in a Global Context
a. Statistics for international comparison: gross national product, foreign trade, currency reserves, standard of living, foreign aid
b. The structure and politics of Germany's economy compared to its most important trade partners in Europe and overseas (the US and Japan)
2. Theory of Economic Integration
a. Theory of international division of labor; comparative advantage, global versus regional integration, functional versus institutional integration
b. Trade-creating and trade-diverting effects
c. The free trade area and economic union: customs union as prerequisite for economic union; free trade area and economic union as means of integration; political cooperation
3. Regional Integration in Europe: the European Union
a. The single market
b. Free movement of goods, labor, services and capital
c. Institutions of the EU: Commission, Council of Ministers, European Parliament, European Court of Justice, European Court of Auditors, European Investment Bank, European Central Bank
d. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as an example of EU economic policies
4. Germany and the EU in World Trade
a. The structure of Germany's foreign trade and foreign investments
b. The significance of Germany's economic dependence on foreign trade
c. Relationship to EFTA.
d. Pan-European free trade area between the EU and EFTA
e. The impact of European integration on the U.S. economy
f. The structure of economic relations between Germany, Europe and the US
g. Reversal in the flow of trade and capital
h. Interdependencies among the three world economic giants: Germany, Japan, and the United States
i. Changing trade policies under the influence of slowing growth rates
j. Growing protectionism or triumph of free trade?
5. Relations with Developing Countries
a. Germany's state and private foreign aid in international perspective
b. Germany's political formulation of foreign aid
c. Aspects of granting foreign aid subject to conditions
d. The association agreement between the EU and ACP states
6. From Economic to Political Integration
a. The path to monetary and economic union in Europe
b. From European monetary system (EMS) to Euro
c. The third EU enlargement in the 1980's
d. Eastern enlargement of EU in the 21st century
e. Aspects and problems of EU enlargement for Germany (e.g. exports, guest workers)
7. Germany as business location
a.Hard and soft factors
b.Germany´s economy/exports and the "Asian century"
c.Special topic:Green products-made in Germany - Sustainibility in
German businesses - CSR in selected industries,e.g.automobiles ("Blue Efficiency-Green Luxury"),banking("Green Money"),chemicals ("Green Chemistry") incl.field trip(s)
Required readings:
Europäische Kommission (Hg.): Reihe “Europäische Dokumentation” Luxemburg, Lfd. Jg.
Europäische Kommission (Hg.): Reihe „Europa in Bewegung“ Luxemburg, Lfd. Jg.
Göcke, M. – Köhler, T.: Aussenwirtschaft (Springer), 2002
Neisser, H. – Verschraegen, B.: Die Europäische Union, (Springer), 2001
Scheller, H.K.: Die Europäische Zentralbank, (Knapp), 2000
Recommended readings:
Bertelsmann – Stiftung (Hg.): Die Bundesländer im Standortwettbewerb (Bertelsmann), 2001
Decker, C.: Handelskonflikte der USA mit der EU seit 1985, (Duncker & Humblot), 2002
Harenberg: Jahrbuch Aktuell 2004
Rifkin, J.: Der EuropäischeTraum, (Campus), 2004
Swann, D.: The Economics of the Common Market, new ed., London
Brief Biography of Instructor:
Hans-Joachim Stübig earned a Diplom-Volkswirtschaft degree in economics from the University of Freiburg. He currently lectures and teaches seminars for the IES Abroad Freiburg Language & Area Studies Program.
Germany as an Economic Power
A study of Germany's political economy, characterized as one of the "three locomotives of the world economy," and its role as the strongest member of the EU economically and an "Economic giant" in the world economy. In addition to Germany's relationship to the EU and its role in European economic integration, the course also focuses on Germany's economic relations with the United States and, with increasing importance, the developing countries.
Introductory economics
By the end of the course, students will possess an in depth knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of Germany’s economy in the era of globalization.
Lectures, seminars, student presentations
Midterm (25%)
final examination (25%),
term paper (30%)
oral participation (20%)
1. The German Economy in a Global Context
a. Statistics for international comparison: gross national product, foreign trade, currency reserves, standard of living, foreign aid
b. The structure and politics of Germany's economy compared to its most important trade partners in Europe and overseas (the US and Japan)
2. Theory of Economic Integration
a. Theory of international division of labor; comparative advantage, global versus regional integration, functional versus institutional integration
b. Trade-creating and trade-diverting effects
c. The free trade area and economic union: customs union as prerequisite for economic union; free trade area and economic union as means of integration; political cooperation
3. Regional Integration in Europe: the European Union
a. The single market
b. Free movement of goods, labor, services and capital
c. Institutions of the EU: Commission, Council of Ministers, European Parliament, European Court of Justice, European Court of Auditors, European Investment Bank, European Central Bank
d. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as an example of EU economic policies
4. Germany and the EU in World Trade
a. The structure of Germany's foreign trade and foreign investments
b. The significance of Germany's economic dependence on foreign trade
c. Relationship to EFTA.
d. Pan-European free trade area between the EU and EFTA
e. The impact of European integration on the U.S. economy
f. The structure of economic relations between Germany, Europe and the US
g. Reversal in the flow of trade and capital
h. Interdependencies among the three world economic giants: Germany, Japan, and the United States
i. Changing trade policies under the influence of slowing growth rates
j. Growing protectionism or triumph of free trade?
5. Relations with Developing Countries
a. Germany's state and private foreign aid in international perspective
b. Germany's political formulation of foreign aid
c. Aspects of granting foreign aid subject to conditions
d. The association agreement between the EU and ACP states
6. From Economic to Political Integration
a. The path to monetary and economic union in Europe
b. From European monetary system (EMS) to Euro
c. The third EU enlargement in the 1980's
d. Eastern enlargement of EU in the 21st century
e. Aspects and problems of EU enlargement for Germany (e.g. exports, guest workers)
7. Germany as business location
a.Hard and soft factors
b.Germany´s economy/exports and the "Asian century"
c.Special topic:Green products-made in Germany - Sustainibility in
German businesses - CSR in selected industries,e.g.automobiles ("Blue Efficiency-Green Luxury"),banking("Green Money"),chemicals ("Green Chemistry") incl.field trip(s)
Europäische Kommission (Hg.): Reihe “Europäische Dokumentation” Luxemburg, Lfd. Jg.
Europäische Kommission (Hg.): Reihe „Europa in Bewegung“ Luxemburg, Lfd. Jg.
Göcke, M. – Köhler, T.: Aussenwirtschaft (Springer), 2002
Neisser, H. – Verschraegen, B.: Die Europäische Union, (Springer), 2001
Scheller, H.K.: Die Europäische Zentralbank, (Knapp), 2000
Bertelsmann – Stiftung (Hg.): Die Bundesländer im Standortwettbewerb (Bertelsmann), 2001
Decker, C.: Handelskonflikte der USA mit der EU seit 1985, (Duncker & Humblot), 2002
Harenberg: Jahrbuch Aktuell 2004
Rifkin, J.: Der EuropäischeTraum, (Campus), 2004
Swann, D.: The Economics of the Common Market, new ed., London
Hans-Joachim Stübig earned a Diplom-Volkswirtschaft degree in economics from the University of Freiburg. He currently lectures and teaches seminars for the IES Abroad Freiburg Language & Area Studies Program.