Joan Pere Plaza

The development of the European economy in the late 20th and early 21st century. Objectives, principles and stages of European construction. Institutional, legal and financial structures.

Reflect on the future evolution of the EU and learn about its economic, social, political and cultural implications.

• Cooperation and economic integration.
• Worldwide economic and industrial integration processes.
• Institutional, legal and financial guarantees.
• European Union: Institutions and Markets.

An introduction to law: sources of law and the philosophy of law. The legal system. Core institutions in civil, mercantile, fiscal and labour law. Mercantile law. Trading companies. Societal cooperation structures. Stocks and securities. Bills of exchange.

Understand the main legal implications, possibilities and limitations of business activities. Analyse and compare the advantages and disadvantages of the different kinds of trading companies.

Introduction to EU trade policy, set in the current global context. Identifying institutional actors involved in decision making processes, revealing the tensions between different member states and paying critical attention to the more delicate aspects of this policy, such as the issue of political conditionality.

Understand current tensions and challenges in global trade governance by analysing the main agreements between the EU and its trading partners from a critical overview. Compare and contrast the trade policies of the leading actors at the moment (European Union, United States, China, etc.).

Introduction to current affairs linked to international economics, society and politics.

Spark critical analysis and in-depth thinking into the social, economic and political environment worldwide. Foster curiosity and ongoing learning in a global environment.

The EU's Common Trade Policy is an inseparable element of the process of European integration in both economic and political terms. Many aspects explain this centrality: it is one of the EU's few exclusive competences; the success of the Single Market and its potential both to attract trade partners and to generate surpluses and income that can be converted into FDI in third countries; and, of course, the absence of a common foreign policy. These are just some of the factors. The EU has used its CTP as an policy instrument to establish itself as an actor on the international stage and be recognised as such. Proof of this are numerous: the EU has been a full member of the World Trade Organisation since 1 January 1995, for example. Moreover, the EU has been combining this multilateral approach to trade with a more and more dense of bilateral trade agreements (Korea, Chile, Pakistan, the Philippines, to mention just a few). This subject seeks to teach second-cycle students about all these debates.

We bring together knowledge of economic theory, economic conditions and trends, domestic and international institutions, and business and civil society to analyse the causes and consequences of international trade and investment. We investigate why and what nations trade, who gains and who loses from this trade, why countries restrict or regulate international trade and what effects trade policies have on economic welfare. In addition, we discuss the use of international labour standards, interactions between trade and environmental concerns, and the role of nongovernmental organizations. Finally, we study how the EU has used its common trade policy to establish itself as an actor on the international stage and how it combines this multilateral approach to trade with bilateral trade agreements.

Obtain an understanding of contemporary trade policies and the impact they have on doing business in the context of a globalized world economy. Grasp contemporary trade policy issues and disputes while being able to critically assess changes in global trade governance that are shaping the world of tomorrow. 

A transformation of incredible speed and depth is occurring in the governance of global trade. The institucional landscape issued in the aftermath of WWII, based on the idea of multilateralism and that placed the WTO right in the center of the picture, seems to get reached a deadlock. The emergence of new actors such as the PRC or China, along with the many issues related to the daily functioning of the decision-making process of the WTO may partially explain the current stage. In the same vein, the change in attitude of other key global players such as the US has also to be put into the equation. In addition to that, the internal problems in the EU (Brexit, leadership,...) do not allow the bloc to play the steering role that many were expecting. Critical changes are happening in the global trade governance, which will ultimately shape the world of tomorrow. And it is even more true now with the uncertainty that stems from the post Covid-19 scenario.

This course is intended to prepare students to understand better this changing scenario. In so doing, the course is designed as a polyphonic, choral work in which experts in the different subjects, from different universities, will be involved under the coordination of the professor in charge of this core course.