Case: UK’s potential exit from the EU

First assignment – Group coursework

Value: 50% of total mark

In groups of no more than four members (and no fewer than two), examine and discuss the following case according to the concepts you have learned in IPE. Follow the six points below to structure your discussion. Then write an essay of no more than 3,000 words on the likely effects of this political change on different sectors in the UK economy.

Make sure you cover each of the six points, analyse each of them according to IPE concepts, and provide examples in each case for costs and benefits. You must reference your work according to the Harvard referencing system. Essays are to be submitted on Blackboard by the deadline. Only one essay per group should be submitted. The attached cover sheet with your names and marking criteria must be placed at the beginning of each essay.

Case: UK’s potential exit from the EU

British Prime Minister David Cameron has promised that his government, if re-elected, will hold a referendum in 2017 to decide whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union. While polls indicate that a high share of British voters would vote for the UK to leave the EU, different sectors of businesses, workers, consumers and government in the UK face different costs and benefits from an EU exit.

Domestic politics

How have the positions of Britain’s main political parties evolved toward UK membership in the EU (and earlier EEC) since the 1960s, and why? Which political and economic interest groups in the UK today are advocating for and against continued EU membership, and why?

Trade

How would the UK’s exit from the EU affect the country’s overall trade balance and international trading patterns? Which types of businesses, consumers, workers and government agencies would gain, and which would lose?

Financial and monetary policy

How would an EU exit impact the UK’s financial and monetary policy? How would international financial markets react to the exit? What would be the effect on the UK’s credit rating, the consequences for interest rates, and the impact on exchange rates?

Foreign investment

What would be the effect on foreign investment in the UK, both in terms of short-term portfolio investment and long-term foreign direct investment?

Immigration

How would Britain’s EU exit affect migration both to and from the UK? What would be the impact on different skill sectors of the British labour market, and the resulting costs or benefits to businesses and consumers in the UK?

International relations

What would be the effect on Britain’s international trade agreements with non-EU countries? How would Britain’s exit affect its relationship to EU business regulations?

Group Assignment Cover Sheet

Surname	First name

Marking Criteria	Comments	Mark (weighted by %)
Theoretical background and relevant knowledge (40%). Essay shows good command of IPE concepts and theories. There is strong research, including concrete examples drawn from the actual political economy.
Analysis and argument (40%). Essay shows appropriate application of IPE concepts and theories. It includes coherent arguments supported by relevant examples. The essay is critical in nature, clearly showing pros and cons of the analysed situations. The essay covers all six points.
Presentation and style (20%). Essay is written in clear and coherent English. It has properly edited and proofread. It is clearly structured. It is presented in a clear and professional format. Work follows Harvard referencing system.

Total Mark: ___________

Grade Criteria

For reference only: This page contains is the detailed marking criteria. Do not include this page in your submission.

Marking Criteria	70% and above	60% – 69%	50% – 59%	49% and below
Theoretical background and relevant knowledge (40%).	Essay shows excellent command of IPE concepts and theories. There is strong research, including concrete examples drawn from the actual political economy.	Essay shows good command of IPE theories and concepts but examples are sometimes too general. Research is good but could benefit from additional sources.	Essay shows adequate command of IPE theories and concepts, with some minor mistakes. It includes some good examples although others tend to be general. Research covers the basics but needs further elaboration.	Essay is deficient and includes several theoretical and conceptual mistakes. Examples tend to be weak and are unrelated to the concepts and theories. Research lacks depth and includes irrelevant sources.
Analysis and argument (40%).	Analysis shows excellent application of IPE concepts and theories. It includes coherent arguments supported by relevant examples. The essay is critical in nature, clearly showing pros and cons of the analysed situations. The essay covers all six points.	Analysis shows good application of IPE concepts and theories. Arguments are coherent, although there are some that are not as strong. Examples are adequate and illustrate arguments well. All six points are covered, but the essay could be more critical.	Analysis shows adequate application of IPE concepts and theories, although there are some minor misunderstandings in the applications. Some examples supporting arguments are better than others. Only 4 or 5 points are well covered and the essay tends to be descriptive instead of critical.	Analysis is weak and descriptive. Application of IPE concepts and theories is not clear. Less than half of the points are properly covered. Arguments need further elaboration.
Presentation and style (20%).	Essay is written in clear and coherent English. It has properly edited and proofread. It is clearly structured. It is presented in a professional format. Work follows Harvard referencing system adequately.	Essay is clear but includes some minor language mistakes. Structure is adequate. Presentation is also adequate but could be improved. Work follows Harvard Referencing System and only has some minor errors.	Essay includes some sections that lack clarity in content. Structure is not always clear. There are some typos and language errors that prevent understanding. Referencing could be improved: Harvard referencing system is not followed in a systematic way.	Essay lacks clarity in content. Structure is unclear. There are several typos and language errors that prevent understanding. Referencing is poor: Harvard referencing system is not followed adequately.