Multi-Level Governance: EU, UN, and Environmental Politics and Policy , 7.5 credits
Contents
Modern society is characterized by multi-level governance where politics and policymaking take place both within and between forums at different levels. Decisions made in the UN and the EU affect politics at national, regional and municipal levels, and vice versa. Power has thus been shifted simultaneously upwards, downwards and sideways, affecting democracy and legitimacy. This development is driven not least by the complex and transboundary environmental problems that the world is facing, and which must be dealt with equitably at all political-administrative levels and integrated across many different policy areas at the same time.
The course addresses the fundamental difference between intergovernmental and supranational cooperation. Intergovernmental cooperation, such as the UN's work on climate change, is based on voluntarism and collective action. Supranational cooperation, as in the EU, is binding and is illustrated through the EU's system of multi-level governance. The course also demonstrates how actors at the national and subnational levels influence both the implementation of international agreements and supranational directives, as well as the formulation of the national negotiating positions within the UN and the EU.
Expected learning outcomes
The student should be able to:
• actively and independently participate in scientific discussions and complete written and oral assignments in accordance with good academic standards.
• present and defend arguments for or against ideas and propositions in a systematic and well-founded manner, both orally and in writing.
• use an academic referencing system in a systematic and consistent manner.
• understand and describe what multi-level governance means and how it affects the traditional state.
• understand and describe the significance of intergovernmental and supranational cooperation for collective action and the practical implementation of policy.
• interpret and apply theories and core concepts to explain the overall structure and development of the EU and how environmental policy is formulated and implemented at different policy levels.
• combine theoretical concepts and analytical models to categorize and evaluate empirical cases of multi-level governance.
• construct an analytical tool in the form of ideal types for text analysis.
• critically and independently discuss and assess examples of multi-level governance and the implementation of environmental policy in relation to issues of democracy, power and justice .
Required Knowledge
30 credits Political Science
Form of instruction
The course consists of lectures, seminars and individual literature studies. The lectures aim to support the students' learning as a complement to the individual literature studies. The seminars include oral student presentations and written assignments. They provide an opportunity for more in-depth discussions on issues and concepts addressed during the course. The seminars are mandatory.
Examination modes
Seminars with oral presentations, discussion and submission of written assignments. Grades: Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Individual written digital exam. Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG)
For students who have a recommendation of support for students with disabilities the examiner may decide on individual adaption of examination modes set out in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of examination modes must always be considered based on the student's specific needs and the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. For more information, see Procedure for support for students with disabilities and Rules for grades and examination.
Literature
Valid from: 2027-01-18
Rethinking Multilevel Governance
Benz Arthur.
Cheltenham :
Edward Elgar Publishing Limited :
2024 :
LIBRIS ID: h2n2g5f3f0r1kdm2
Mandatory
Reading instructions: Chapter 1-2
European Union environmental policy after the Lisbon Treaty: plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose?
Benson David, Jordan Andrew
Taylor and Francis :
2010 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
Svensk politik och EU
: hur svensk politik har förändrats av medlemskapet i EU
Silander Daniel, Öhlén Mats
Andra upplagan :
Stockholm :
Santérus Förlag :
2025 :
311 sidor :
LIBRIS ID: cxzqbjsb9j5s0ghl
ISBN: 9789173592178
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: Chapter 5
European Union politics
Cini Michelle, Pérez-Solórzano Borragán Nieves
Eighth edition. :
Oxford :
Oxford University Press :
[2025] :
xlii, 605 pages :
LIBRIS ID: rcwlf1f7p5wcsl4c
ISBN: 9780198898986
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: Chapter 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 24
Environmental justice
: key issues
Coolsaet Brendan
Abingdon, Oxon :
Routledge :
2021 :
xxii, 341 pages :
LIBRIS ID: w82p0301twq98nc0
ISBN: 9780367139926
ISBN: 0367139928
ISBN: 9780367139933
ISBN: 0367139936
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: Chapter 2-4 and 9
European environmental policy at 50: Five decades of escaping decision traps?
Deters Henning
Wiley Online Library :
2019 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
Three decades of EU climate policy: Racing toward climate neutrality?
Dupont Claire, Moore Brendan, Lerum Boasson Elin, Gravey Vivianne, Andrew Jordan
WIREs Climate Change :
2023 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
Environmental politics: a very short introduction
Andrew Dobson
Mandatory
Reading instructions: Chapter 2. The text is provided by the institution.
Environmental governance
Evans James, Thomas Craig
Second edition :
Oxford :
Routledge :
2024 :
xxiii, 286 pages :
LIBRIS ID: r9wm6zkzp8dn5dkv
ISBN: 9781032369655
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: Chapter: 1-2, 4-6, 9.
Institutional accountability: the differentiated implementation of collaborative governance in two EU states
Mancheva Irina, Pihlajamäki Mia, Keskinen Marko
Taylor and Francis :
2023 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
Politicizing climate change in times of populism: an introduction
Marquardt Jens, Lederer Markus
Taylor and Francis :
2022 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
From emissions trading to the European Green Deal: the evolution of the climate policy mix and climate policy integration in the EU
Oberthür Sebastian, von Homeyer Ingmar
Taylor and Francis :
2022 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
When talk meets actions – return to Commission leadership in EU environmental policy-making with the European Green Deal
Pollex Jan, Lenschow Andrea
Taylor and Francis :
2023 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
Handbook on European Union climate change policy and politics
Rayner Tim, Szulecki Kacper, Jordan Andrew
First edition. :
Northampton :
Edward Elgar Publishing :
2023 :
1 online resource (440 pages) :
LIBRIS ID: 6phgt1n54m39fc9r
ISBN: 9781789906981
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: Chapter 2-4 and 9
Retrogradism in context. Varieties of right-wing populist climate politics
Selk Veith, Jörg
Taylor and Francis :
2021 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
New intergovernmentalism: European council and environmental policy
Ullrichova Eliska
Taylor and Francis :
2024 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
EU climate policy in turbulent times: understanding the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
von Homeyer Ingmar, Oberthür Sebastian, Dupont Claire
Taylor and Francis :
2025 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
The European Council, the Council and the Member States: changing environmental leadership dynamics in the European Union
Wurzel Rüdiger K. W, Liefferink Ducan, Di Lullo Maurizio
Taylor and Francis :
2019 :
Artikel online
Mandatory