Recent Developments in International Economics
Podcast: Economic Convergence or Divergence in Italy and Germany
This Podcast is part of the course Recent Developments in International Economics in the summer term 2023 held by our colleague Dr. Tobias Weirowski.
This course aims to explore the economic convergence and divergence patterns within the European Union (EU), with a specific focus on Italy and Germany and their respective regions. These studies are fundamental components of our double-degree Master's program, "European and International Economics - Politiche Europee ed Internationali," which we offer in collaboration with the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy.
The course follows a research-oriented format, allowing students to delve into their own research projects in small groups. As part of their assignments, students also produce podcasts featuring interviews with self-identified experts in the field.
You will find the contributions to the subtopics in the table below:
| Episode | Description |
|---|---|
#1 Divergence in productivity trends: differences in the institutional and business environment in Italy and Germanyby Giorgia Ghilardi and Chiara Malaponti guest: Prof. Simone Vannuccini & Tommaso Bighelli |
Productivity is a key determinant behind economic growth. Since the early 2000s, amidst a generalised slowdown in Europe, productivity growth has followed divergent paths in Italy and Germany. How much are institutional factors responsible for this process? Prof. Simone Vannuccini (Université Côte d’Azur) and Tommaso Bighelli (IWH Halle) have helped us understand the relative importance of labour market policies, business regulation and the respect of the rule of law. |
#2 Convergence and divergence in purchasing power between Germany and Italyby Andrea Bielli, David Fañez and Francesco Fumagalli guest: Prof. Battista Severgnini |
This feature tackles recent purchasing power trends specifically in Germany and Italy. We decided to focus on three watershed moments, namely the introduction of the Euro currency, the Global financial crisis and finally the COVID pandemic. The key aim is understanding their effects on purchasing power related indicators like GDP per capita, wage growth and inflation. In order to do so, we invited Prof. Sevegnini from the Copenhagen Business School, who shared very valuable insights on the topic. |
Podcast: Sanctions on Russia
This Podcast is part of the course Recent Developments in International Economics in the summer term 2022 held by our colleague Dr. Tobias Weirowski. The starting point was the academic and political debate about sanctions against Russia in the wake of the war against Ukraine.
The course participants consisted of Master's students from the Data Science and Economic Policy program, the European and International Economics - Politiche Europee ed Internationali double-degree program, and the Area Studies program.
The course itself had a research-oriented format and was didactically experimental. In addition to their own research projects to be developed in small groups, students created their own podcasts, which included an interview with a self-identified expert on the topic at hand.
You will find the contributions to the subtopics in the table:
| Episode | Description |
|---|---|
Introductionby Tobias Weirowski |
A very brief introduction. |
#1 The role of the media as a mean in hybrid warfareby Anna Francesca Kern, Chiara Toscanini & Lina Tusche guest: Professor Fausto Colombo |
This episode deals with the relationship between media and hybrid warfare, with a reference to the sanctions imposed on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.We question what hybrid warfare is and how the media can be a medium of it. How can governments and individuals recognise and defend themselves against hybrid warfare measures and which role will the media play in the future. Professor Colombo gives great insights into these matters, reflecting with us on current political events. |
#2 European Union Integration and Sanctionsby Mihaela Iacob, Maria Malvezzi & Maike Wessels guest: Professor Clara Portela |
The Russian war against Ukraine has forced the European Union and its member states to rethink their relations with Russia. In this Podcast, we will talk about our Research Project on European Union sanctioning against Russia since 2014 until today and ask some questions to Clara Portela, who is an expert in the field of International Sanctions. |
#3 Monetary Policyby David Krutzky, Lina Maria Moreno & Leonardo Nunes Ricucci |
Are the Western Sanctions towards Russia working? We interview Srichandar Ramaswamy an expert in international trade and capital flows on how the central bank has successfully dealt with the initial effects of western sanctions and now due to a strong ruble, enabled by rising oil prices, is in a strong position. Extending this thought, we go into the issue of FDI withdrawal and whether other countries could step in to supply the lost capital base within Russia. |
#4 Global Trendsby Jacopo Bulgarini, Alessio Piccoli & Miguel Haro Ruiz guest: Dr. Lukas Kornher |
Price spikes of agricultural goods have been a recurring theme since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This episode of Global Trends analyses the role played by these two countries in the global agricultural market, the recent movements in wheat futures markets, as well as the consequences that this situation is having for food insecurity. Professor Lukas Kornher from the University of Bonn provides deeper insights into the economic and structural consequences of this issue. |