International Economic Law
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
International economic law is a field of international law that encompasses both the conduct of sovereign states, economic trade area such as EU in international economic relations and the conduct of private parties involved in cross-border economic and business transactions. This includes, among other things, international trade law, law of international financial and in particular economic and trade institutions (IMF, OECD, WB, WTO) and traditional private international law fields.
Due to the interdisciplinary dimension of International Economic Law, we will address economic as well as political aspects and different fields of law such as economic law, human rights, environmental law, trade law. The lecture will provide an overview of the current issues with particular reference to the role of the main international organizations and institutions involved in the governance of the so called global economy and in the solution of the current economic and financial crisis.
In addition, a substantial part of the course will be dedicated to class room discussion of reading materials and cases.
Due to the interdisciplinary dimension of International Economic Law, we will address economic as well as political aspects and different fields of law such as economic law, human rights, environmental law, trade law. The lecture will provide an overview of the current issues with particular reference to the role of the main international organizations and institutions involved in the governance of the so called global economy and in the solution of the current economic and financial crisis.
In addition, a substantial part of the course will be dedicated to class room discussion of reading materials and cases.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, a student should be able
· to understand the international economic legal order as it operates;
· to understand the relevant international economic law treaties;
· to understand the phenomenon of international economic organizations
· to demonstrate a deep understanding of the normative and empirical underpinnings of international economic law;
· to demonstrate an ability to critically appraise international economic law.
· to understand the international economic legal order as it operates;
· to understand the relevant international economic law treaties;
· to understand the phenomenon of international economic organizations
· to demonstrate a deep understanding of the normative and empirical underpinnings of international economic law;
· to demonstrate an ability to critically appraise international economic law.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Classes will be delivered in distance learning modality. They will be live-streamed on Microsoft Teams, following the lessons timetable. All classes will be recorded and will be available on the online platform until the end of the semester.
Students will be informed as soon as possible, through the ARIEL website of the Course, if there will be a possibility to attend in person some classes at the University premises. This possibility will depend upon the evolution of the emergency and related safety measures, and the needs and preferences of students. In this case, students willing to attend classes will be required to reserve their seat through the LezioniUnimi app (unimi.it/en Home > study > bachelor-and-master-study > following-your-programme-of-study >. Strict compliance with the COVID protocol (facemask-wearing, social distancing, hands disinfection, etc ) will be required in the classrooms and all the University premises. In any case, all classes will be live-streamed and recorded and will be available on the online platform, in order to meet the needs of those unable or unwilling to attend in person.
The course will alternate and combine lectures and seminar teaching and will be tailored to match the learning necessities of students attending physically and remotely alike. Classes may require prior readings and include pre-recorded components.
To cope with possible connection and/or time zone issues, simultaneous course attendance (i.e. connection on the platform at the scheduled time) will not be mandatory. However, the Course will be based on class interaction. Therefore, students are strongly advised to strive to be able to attend the online classes.
Students will be informed as soon as possible, through the ARIEL website of the Course, if there will be a possibility to attend in person some classes at the University premises. This possibility will depend upon the evolution of the emergency and related safety measures, and the needs and preferences of students. In this case, students willing to attend classes will be required to reserve their seat through the LezioniUnimi app (unimi.it/en Home > study > bachelor-and-master-study > following-your-programme-of-study >. Strict compliance with the COVID protocol (facemask-wearing, social distancing, hands disinfection, etc ) will be required in the classrooms and all the University premises. In any case, all classes will be live-streamed and recorded and will be available on the online platform, in order to meet the needs of those unable or unwilling to attend in person.
The course will alternate and combine lectures and seminar teaching and will be tailored to match the learning necessities of students attending physically and remotely alike. Classes may require prior readings and include pre-recorded components.
To cope with possible connection and/or time zone issues, simultaneous course attendance (i.e. connection on the platform at the scheduled time) will not be mandatory. However, the Course will be based on class interaction. Therefore, students are strongly advised to strive to be able to attend the online classes.
Course syllabus
The course programme is unchanged. However, the specific contents of classes will adapt to the teaching methods outlined above
The course provides the student with knowledge on the following topics:
1. The subjects of international economic law.
2. Rating agencies as new centers of international economic and financial power
3. The sources of international economic law and the evolution of the international economic legal order.
4. The economic summits (G7-G8- G20). Their organizational structure and decision-making process.
5. The International Monetary Fund (IMF): structure and objectives. The financial resources of the Fund. The financial assistance function and its evolution with respect to the economic and financial crisis. The proposals for reforming the Fund: the revision of the calculation system and the allocation of units. The IMF's response to the current crisis: limits and remedies.
6. The World Bank Group (BM): origins and objectives. Structure. Loan activity analysis. Financial resources. The World Bank inspection panel. The World Bank's answer to the current crisis: limits and remedies of its action.
7. The OECD and the Bank for International Settlements.
8. Problems of coordination between the international economic organizations and relations with the multilateral trading system GATT / WTO.
9 The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro crisis. The European Semester, the Europlus Pact, the cd. Six pack, the European Stability Mechanism (MES), the Fiscal Compact Agreement, the cd. Two parcels.
10. The European Central Bank (ECB) and the intervention program to safeguard the European financial market and the action of the so-called economic "troika".
11. Towards the European Banking Union.
12. Towards a new definition of economic and monetary sovereignty.
13. The protection of economic and social human rights against the current economic crisis and neo-financial liberalism.
The course provides the student with knowledge on the following topics:
1. The subjects of international economic law.
2. Rating agencies as new centers of international economic and financial power
3. The sources of international economic law and the evolution of the international economic legal order.
4. The economic summits (G7-G8- G20). Their organizational structure and decision-making process.
5. The International Monetary Fund (IMF): structure and objectives. The financial resources of the Fund. The financial assistance function and its evolution with respect to the economic and financial crisis. The proposals for reforming the Fund: the revision of the calculation system and the allocation of units. The IMF's response to the current crisis: limits and remedies.
6. The World Bank Group (BM): origins and objectives. Structure. Loan activity analysis. Financial resources. The World Bank inspection panel. The World Bank's answer to the current crisis: limits and remedies of its action.
7. The OECD and the Bank for International Settlements.
8. Problems of coordination between the international economic organizations and relations with the multilateral trading system GATT / WTO.
9 The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro crisis. The European Semester, the Europlus Pact, the cd. Six pack, the European Stability Mechanism (MES), the Fiscal Compact Agreement, the cd. Two parcels.
10. The European Central Bank (ECB) and the intervention program to safeguard the European financial market and the action of the so-called economic "troika".
11. Towards the European Banking Union.
12. Towards a new definition of economic and monetary sovereignty.
13. The protection of economic and social human rights against the current economic crisis and neo-financial liberalism.
Prerequisites for admission
To benefit fully from this course students should have a good knowledge of international public law.
Teaching methods
Lectures (42 hours), in classroom. Attendance is not mandatory but strongly encouraged. In classroom reflections and/ or practical exercises on case-studies will be organized.
Teaching Resources
In addition to the material suggested during the lessons and possibly made available on the Ariel platform, all students are invited to study the following volume:
Peroni G., Stabilità economica e sostenibilità nel diritto internazionale, Giuffrè-Lefebvre, Milano, 2020.
Peroni G., Stabilità economica e sostenibilità nel diritto internazionale, Giuffrè-Lefebvre, Milano, 2020.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment methods will not change, except that oral exam may take place by remote through distance learning platforms (Microsoft Teams for oral exams and exam.net for written exams). Instructions will be posted on the ARIEL website of the course.
In case the possibility of exams in persons will be reinstated at the material time, students unable to be physically present will be offered an alternative method from distance.
The final exam is only oral. The students will be asked to answer to three open questions, which are organized as follows: the first one is a wide question, the second is a more specific one, the third one is a reflection on a case-study.
Evalutation criteria: knowledge of the subject, mastery of language and ability to critically analyse the topic proposed in the reflection.
In case the possibility of exams in persons will be reinstated at the material time, students unable to be physically present will be offered an alternative method from distance.
The final exam is only oral. The students will be asked to answer to three open questions, which are organized as follows: the first one is a wide question, the second is a more specific one, the third one is a reflection on a case-study.
Evalutation criteria: knowledge of the subject, mastery of language and ability to critically analyse the topic proposed in the reflection.
Professor(s)