Summer School Politics, International Relations and Geopolitical Risk

Dos personas se dan la mano frente a un mapa de Europa.

Summer School

Politics, International Relations and Geopolitical Risk

Europe in a Fragmenting World

Learning
Face-to-Face
Language
English
Start
28 June - 9 July 2027
Credits
6 ECTS

Politics, International Relations and Geopolitical Risk: Europe in a Fragmenting World

Student profile

University students at any stage of their studies and researchers interested in politics, political economy and international affairs, and in how political developments shape diplomatic, economic and business decisions, including country and political risk analysis. Sessions are pitched at an intermediate to advanced level.

Why this program?

In an increasingly fragmented international environment, understanding the interaction between domestic politics, international relations, economics and geopolitics is essential. This program offers an integrated perspective on these dynamics, with particular attention to the European Union. Students will explore political institutions, European integration, democracy, great-power rivalry, geoeconomics and geopolitical risk, developing analytical tools to understand how political decisions and international shocks affect countries, markets and institutions.

Learning Objectives

Political Institutions, Governance and Democracy

Explain how political institutions, public governance, regime types, electoral and party systems shape economic policy, drawing on political science and comparative political economy, and assess the drivers of democratization and democratic backsliding, including the role of the EU.

European Integration and the European Union’s Global Role

Understand the origins, institutions, decision-making and main crises of European integration, and assess the EU’s evolving role as an economic and geopolitical actor.

Domestic Politics and the International Economy

Analyse how domestic politics and the international economy interact, through trade, financial and sovereign debt crises, populism, migration and energy shocks.

Geopolitics, Power and Geoeconomics

Analyse the changing balance of power in the global system, great-power rivalry and the geoeconomic instruments states use (sanctions, export controls, industrial policy).

Data and Methods for Political and Geopolitical Analysist

Become familiar with the main databases and data sources used in political and geopolitical analysis (such as World Bank WGI, V-Dem, Freedom House, IMF, Eurostat and rating agency methodologies) and use them for quantitative and qualitative assessments.

Country Risk Assessment and Management

Apply theoretical frameworks and analytical tools to build, defend and update a country risk assessment, and communicate recommendations to decision-makers.

Fotografía aérea del Campus Almansa de CUNEF Universidad, rodeado de zonas verdes

Methodology

The program follows an applied approach combining lectures, case studies, data workshops, debates, negotiation exercises, role-playing and political communication activities. Students will work with international databases and indicators and apply their knowledge progressively to country and political risk analysis. The program culminates in a full-day Country Risk Challenge, in which participants work in teams as country risk analysts and present and defend their assessments before a committee.

Weekly Program

Politics, Governance and Europe: Building the Model and Its Fracture

The first week provides the foundations for understanding the relationship between globalization, domestic politics and political institutions. Students examine the post-war international economic order, public governance and political institutions, the development of European integration and Economic and Monetary Union, and the impact of the 2008 financial and euro crises and the subsequent populist backlash. Workshops introduce country-risk analysis, governance indicators, political communication, EU negotiations and sovereign risk.

Democracy, Geoeconomics and the New Geopolitics of Europe

The second week examines democracy and democratization, democratic backsliding, great-power rivalry and the resurgence of geoeconomics. Students analyse relations with China, Russia's war in Ukraine, the EU's role as a geopolitical actor and developments in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East. The program concludes with the Country Risk Challenge, bringing together the political, economic and geopolitical tools developed throughout the course.

CUNEF Universidad

At CUNEF Universidad, you’ll find an environment that fosters and supports learning and professional development, with a strong commitment to helping you fulfil your potential

For 50 years, CUNEF Universidad has been guided by the specialisation of its academic offering, the excellence of its students, faculty and researchers, and its international outlook. As it looks ahead to the next 50 years, CUNEF Universidad will remain guided by the principles of academic rigour, striving to become a benchmark for teaching and research; commitment, serving as a driving force for research and innovation; plurality, embracing different perspectives and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and shared decision-making; and equity, ensuring equal opportunities through a system of scholarships and financial aid that enables CUNEF Universidad to educate professionals capable of bringing these values into the wider world.

Why Madrid?

Madrid is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage and a wide range of attractions to discover:

Landscape of light (Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro)
A rich cultural offering (museums, opera, theatre, ballet)
Landmarks and iconic buildings (Royal Palace, Puerta de Alcalá)
A vibrant culinary scene