Author Archives: JamesPCross

The convergence of interest rates in the Eurozone has fuelled rather than removed economic divergences between the north and south

 When the European Monetary Union was created in the    late 1990s it was assumed that the ensuing convergence of interest rates would also lead to economic convergence across Europe. This has clearly not been the case, with the countries of the Eurozone periphery now forced into implementing austerity measures. Aidan Regan argues that these countries are payingContinue reading “The convergence of interest rates in the Eurozone has fuelled rather than removed economic divergences between the north and south”

Event: Disarmament and Non-Proliferation: Historical Perspectives & Future Objectives

Our colleagues at UCC have asked us to draw attention to the following event on March 28th: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in partnership with the School of History, UCC and the Japanese Embassy in Dublin, is delighted to announce a major multi-disciplinary Disarmament and Non-Proliferation symposium: Historical Perspectives & Future Objectives. TheContinue reading “Event: Disarmament and Non-Proliferation: Historical Perspectives & Future Objectives”

Event: European Democracy in Crisis?

European Democracy in Crisis? Keynote address: President Michael D. Higgins On March 20th we are hosting an event on “European Democracy in Crisis” to re-launch the Dublin European Institute (DEI) at UCD. The symposium will take place in Newman House, St. Stephens Green and will open with a keynote address by the President of Ireland,Continue reading “Event: European Democracy in Crisis?”

A Europe Made of Money: Book Review

The current crisis in the eurozone has roots going back four decades to the negotiations that eventually led to the introduction of the Euro. In A Europe Made of Money, Emmanuel Mourlon-Druol examines those negotiations and the politics and motivations of those that participated. Aidan Regan finds that the book illustrates the important role played by political elites and EUContinue reading “A Europe Made of Money: Book Review”

The West Awaits – Why the EU cannot Respond to Russian Aggression

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and occupation of Crimea has been identified by several European foreign ministers in the last 36 hours as the gravest threat to European security in 20 years, certainly since the dramatic collapse of the Soviet Union. That was a collapse, it should be noted, that Russian President Vladimir Putin hasContinue reading “The West Awaits – Why the EU cannot Respond to Russian Aggression”

New post on our sister blog from Prof. David Farrell on different Electoral systems in use for the European elections

Prof. David Farrell of SPIRe and the Dublin European Institute discusses the large and important variation in the electoral systems that will be in use for the European Parliament elections this May. Check it out on our sister blog here

Cutting taxes is a largely ineffective strategy for attracting foreign investment.

Dr. Aidan Regan of SPIRe on the effects of tax policy on attracting foreign investment: The eurozone crisis has hastened the move toward increased fiscal integration among member-states, reflected in the fiscal stability pact, and the proposed measures for a centralised authority to monitor national budgetary decisions. This move toward a fiscal union is widelyContinue reading “Cutting taxes is a largely ineffective strategy for attracting foreign investment.”

Countries which intervene most often in negotiations over EU legislation tend to have the least bargaining success.

The Laeken Declaration states that: “[T]he European project . . . derives its legitimacy from democratic, transparent and efficient institutions.” Negotiations aimed at revising EU transparency legislation (Regulation 1049/2001) began in 2008, but since December 2012 are at an impasse. These negotiations are important because the outcome will govern how the public can access records relatingContinue reading “Countries which intervene most often in negotiations over EU legislation tend to have the least bargaining success.”

Europe’s ‘structural reform’ agenda is little more than a fairytale

Dr. Aidan Regan blogs about structural reforms as a response to the Eurozone crisis: There are four actors who have dominated the political and policy response to the Eurozone crisis: the executive of the German Federal Republic, now a super majority between the Christian and Social Democrats, Finance Ministers who make up the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) ofContinue reading “Europe’s ‘structural reform’ agenda is little more than a fairytale”