European Citizenship – Development, Scope, and Challenges

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/european-citizenship

Introduction

# Course Review: European Citizenship – Development, Scope, and Challenges In today's interconnected world, the nuances of citizenship are evolving rapidly, particularly within the context of the European Union (EU). The course titled **"European Citizenship – Development, Scope, and Challenges"** available on Coursera delves into this critical topic, offering insights into the rights, challenges, and implications of European citizenship that extend beyond national identities. ## Overview of the Course European citizenship, though formally established with the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993, has roots that date back to 1958 with the Treaty of Rome. This course explores how European citizenship has developed over the years, its substantive rights, and the practical challenges that citizens face today. **Course Objectives:** 1. To explore the historical development and current status of European citizenship. 2. To examine the scope of European citizenship for both 'movers' (those who migrate within the EU) and 'stayers' (citizens who remain in their home countries). 3. To discuss the challenges and dilemmas faced by European citizenship amidst contemporary political discourses, including Brexit and welfare chauvinism. ## Syllabus Breakdown ### Module 1: The Development and Status of European Citizenship This module provides a historical context to European citizenship. It covers essential rights such as equal treatment, free movement, and political participation via the European Citizens’ Initiative. The leveraging of decisions by the Court of Justice of the European Union is also emphasized as a pivotal force in shaping these rights. By tracing the development from the Treaty of Rome to the present, this module lays a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of European citizenship. ### Module 2: EU Citizenship for 'Movers' and 'Stayers' The second module contrasts the experiences of those who move within the EU and those who choose to remain in their own countries. It raises vital questions about the practical implementation of rights, delving into themes like healthcare, pensions, and cross-border family benefits. The module critically examines issues of inequality in practice, asking whether European citizenship serves as a genuine right for all or merely a privilege for those who choose mobility. This nuanced analysis is particularly relevant in an era marked by increasing nationalism and the call for stricter immigration policies. ### Module 3: Challenges to European Citizenship This final module addresses contemporary challenges to European citizenship. It engages with theoretical debates surrounding the concept of citizenship beyond nation-states and examines pressing issues such as welfare chauvinism. The impact of Brexit is also discussed, highlighting how de-Europeanisation affects rights and identities. This module caps off the course by encouraging students to reflect on the future of European citizenship amidst ongoing political transformations. ## Course Experience The course is designed for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of European citizenship—be they students, academics, policymakers, or citizens interested in EU affairs. The content is delivered through engaging lectures, interactive discussions, and comprehensive readings that encourage critical thinking. ### Strengths: - **Expertise**: The course is led by knowledgeable instructors who are well-versed in EU law and citizenship studies. - **Diverse Perspectives**: It offers balanced views, addressing both the merits and critiques of European citizenship. - **Engagement with Current Events**: The inclusion of contemporary issues such as Brexit ensures relevance and urgency in the discussions. ### Areas for Improvement: While the course covers a broad range of topics, some students may benefit from more interactive elements like discussion forums or live Q&A sessions to enhance engagement with the material and fellow learners. ## Recommendation I highly recommend **"European Citizenship – Development, Scope, and Challenges"** for anyone wishing to understand the implications of citizenship in a European context. Whether you are interested in the historical roots of European citizenship or the pressing challenges it faces today, this course provides a comprehensive exploration of all facets involved. By the end of this course, participants will not only grasp the foundational principles of European citizenship but also understand its practical implications and future challenges within the dynamic landscape of the EU. Don't miss the opportunity to enrich your knowledge about one of the most significant developments in contemporary Europe!

Syllabus

The Development and Status of European Citizenship

Although European citizenship was established with the Treaty of Maastricht, which entered into force in 1993, its development and reasoning originate back to the Treaty of Rome in 1958 with free movement for workers and the historically more limited right to cross-border welfare. Since its establishment, the substantive rights of European citizenship have grown, not least through the Court of Justice of the European Union as an important institutional entrepreneur. In this lecture, the development and current status of European Citizenship will be explored by discussing core rights such as equal treatment, free movement, cross-border welfare, and political rights in terms of the European Citizens’ Initiative.

This second module further explores the scope of European citizenship, but adds the limits that materialize when rules and rights are applied in practice. We will look into pension, healthcare and family benefits, youth social integration and protection rights beyond the EU territory, as well as the challenges that might arise due to the inherent multilingualism and multiculturalism of the European Union. This module will seek answers to pertinent questions such as: Is European citizenship unequal in practice? Why is an issue, such as the exportability of family benefits, highly politicized in some member states? How do rights extend beyond the EU territory? What are the more recent developments of European citizenship and does that do away with the critique that European citizenship is a privilege for those on the move, but a rather hollow right for those who stay? Overall, this module aims to understand European Citizenship in context.

The third module turns to the challenges of European citizenship. We will present the two sides of the theoretical debate on whether it makes sense to use the concept of citizenship beyond the borders of the nation state. The theoretical critique will first be presented and then responded to. In addition, we will examine welfare chauvinism as a current political challenge to European citizenship. Finally, the lecture turns to de-Europeanisation of citizenship as a result of Brexit. While the process of de-Europeanisation takes away concrete rights for UK citizens in the Union and for EU citizens in the United Kingdom, the process of de-institutionalization also showcases the substantive scope of a key EU institution, matured through gradual steps of integration.