Internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen

Veranstalter: PD Dr. Gregor J. van der Beek

Die Veranstaltung findet im Rahmen der Sommerakademie statt.

Priv.-Doz. Dr. Gregor J. van der Beek

For the last two decades there have been two major trends in the international economy: Globalization and Regionalization. While Globalization characterizes the massive increase of worldwide economic transactions, Regionalization means the integration of national economies into regional blocks, like the EU or NAFTA.

Topic overview

After a short introduction into the Theory of International Economic Relations and Integration (e.g. into the determinants of comparative advantage and the pattern of international trade, the gains from trade, and the effects of trade restrictions, trade growth and development, the balance of payments, the economics of exchange rates, and macroeconomics in an open economy), this course will analyze both of these trends. We will try to understand the reasons for and the impact of Globalization in economic terms. After a short analysis at regional economic integration in Asia (like ASEAN), Africa (like ECOWAS) and America (like NAFTA or MERCOSUR), we will focus on ?Regionalization? in Europe, and especially on the European Union. A further focus will be on the economies of different European countries.

By the end of this course, students should have:
A) A sound understanding of the major economic issues of Globalization and Regionalization;
B) An understanding of international economic institutions
C) Some deeper insides into the economics of Europe and the European economies.