Much research on EU integration looks at the “core” EU countries, and analyses the speed and priorities for taking forward the European project. This conference recognizes that “one size does not fit all” within the EU context, and that prematurely fitting all member states with the same shoe may undermine the stability not only of that member state but also to EU as a whole. There are trade-offs for member states as to when and if to join the euro, and whilst they are outside the euro whether to join the banking union.

The functioning of representative democracy crucially depends on political parties that mediate between citizens and the state. It is widely doubted, however, that contemporary parties can still perform this connective role. Taking seriously the ensuing challenges for representative democracy, Rethinking Party Reform advances a normative account of party reform, drawing on both democratic theory and political science scholarship on parties.

Economic inequality has increased drastically across advanced industrial democracies and, with it, the range of economic experiences. These changes present a challenge for political economy which gauges the health of the economy with aggregate economic statistics like growth and jobs. Motivated by this challenge, we ask how new economic realities in advanced capitalism matters for how citizens evaluate the national economy. We argue that individuals seek out and apply information on those indicators of economic heath that affect their own lives while discounting those that do not.

All welcome / bring lunch!