The European Union: An Imperfect Democracy

By Dr André Barrinha, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations 

From all the debates surrounding the Brexit campaign, the ‘democratic deficit’ question seems to me to be among the most relevant (although certainly not the most discussed). It is undeniably true that much of the EU’s activity is conducted by unelected officials who are not directly accountable to any electorate. Also, it is fair to say that whereas the common citizen knows how to participate in the political life of his or her region or country, the same does not necessarily apply to the EU. Many have never voted in the European elections and most would not be able to tell the name of a single MEP.

PhD Scholarships @CCCU!

Canterbury Christ Church University is pleased to announce its 2016 round for PhD scholarships.
Scholarships include a stipend of £13,000 per year and tuition fee waiver for three years. The scholarship is available to British/ EU and non-EU students. Canterbury Christ Church University is able to sponsor Tier4 student visas for non-EU students, who are awarded the scholarship.
More information about the scholarship and the application are available here

The Politics and International Relations programme at Canterbury Christ Church University has a vibrant PhD community. Current PhD students work on a variety of topics, including the Occupy movement, political capital in Russia, minority nationalism in liberal states, the Eurozone after the financial crisis, EU enlargement policy and security changes in the Western Balkans, EU visa liberalisation and minority rights and crises and federal political systems.

We welcome applications in the specialist areas that our staff work in:

Dr Andre Barrinha: Security Studies, International Relations Theory, Turkish Foreign Policy, European Security

Dr David Bates: Contemporary Radical Politics, Marxism, Political Activism

Dr Mark Bennister: British Politics, Leadership Studies, Parliamentary Studies

Dr Laura Cashman: Minority Rights, Central and Eastern European Politics

Dr Amelia Hadfield: EU Foreign Policy, Energy Governance, Commonwealth Studies

Dr Soeren Keil: Western Balkan Politics, EU Enlargement, Power-sharing in Divided Societies, Federalism and Territorial Autonomy

Dr Sarah Lieberman: Environmental Politics, Space Policy, EU governance.

More information about the Politics and International Relations programme is available here

To discuss a potential topic, please send an initial email with the name of the potential supervisor to politics@canterbury.ac.uk

The deadline for application is 18 April 2016 with a start date of 1 October 2016.

We are looking forward to receiving your applications!

CEFEUS Director features in Radio Kent debate on Britain and Europe

The Director of the Centre for European Studies, Dr Amelia Hadfield, made an appearance on BBC Radio Kent over the weekend as part of  a call-in discussion on Britain’s future in Europe.

Dr Hadfield conversed with Professor Tim Luckhurst, who was standing in for Lembit Opik, the programme’s regular host, and members of the public on Britain’s relationship with Europe and the current challenges facing the European Union. With the majority of callers were sceptical about Britain’s relationship with Europe, Dr Hadfield sought to balance the debate, pointing out that both Britain and Europe would be worse off should a Brexit occur.

Politics Lecture Series – Brazil and International Security

Event: Seeking Truth in the Balkans