Policy Brief n.38 - Skill Overkill: The EU Needs More Than Just More Training While economic theory and empirical evidence on human capital affirm the positive effects of education and training on productivity and economic growth, there is a tendency to treat skills enhancement as a universal remedy for labor market inefficiencies. A Policy Brief by Pietro Galeone Are Climate Reporting Requirements Hurting European Competitiveness? Weakening the EU climate corporate reporting in the name of competitiveness, or complementing it with specific measures to mitigate its negative economic impacts? A commentary by Sylvie Goulard, Mélanie Marten, Thomas Rowley, Romain Svartzman What is the Point of Europe if it Fails to Decide? Amid Trump’s activism, many accuse Europe of lacking timely and effective decision-making. But distinctions are necessary. A commentary by Lorenzo Bini Smaghi How Europe Can Prepare for a Post-Truce Ukraine A peace-enforcement mission, complemented by security assistance, stockpile regeneration, and a dedicated financial framework, would provide the necessary deterrence and resilience against future Russian aggression. A commentary by Andrea Gilli, Mauro Gilli, and Niccolò Petrelli Why Germany has Shifted its Approach to Europe From Germany's debt choices to Italy’s stance on rearmament, Ambassador Luigi Mattiolo analyses how the EU is evolving in the age of Trump. An interview by Stefano Feltri The EU Must Respond Smartly to Trump's Tariff Threats A firm but measured response, aligned with rules and European interests, is better than excessive conciliation with the US administration. Here's why. A commentary by Lorenzo Bini Smaghi Policy Brief - How To Defend EUkraine: What are the Military Options European countries should plan for a Peace Enforcement mission and prepare for either Non-Combat Security Assistance and Support or for Mobile Rapid Reaction Force in order to be prepared for a “what if conflict resumes”. A Policy Brief by Andrea Gilli, Mauro Gilli, and Niccolò Petrelli Be Careful What You Wish For: Germany’s New Fiscal Course Sends Ripples Through Europe Berlin’s pledge to do “whatever it takes” on military and infrastructure spending raises government bond yields across the continent. A commentary by Ignazio Angeloni Policy Brief n.35 - Certification of Business Practices and Algorithms of Digital Platforms Voluntary certification is a novel approach that can restrict the harmful practices of some dominant platforms and motivate and reward emerging platforms that align their practices with the public interest. A Policy Brief by Dovev Lavie, Oreste Pollicino, and Tommaso Valletti Why Markets Do Not React to Europe's Defense Spending Surge Financial discipline, growth potential, and deeper EU integration reassure investors amid rising defense budgets. A commentary by Lorenzo Bini Smaghi Policy Brief - A European Security Fund for Ukraine A coalition of most EU Member States plus the UK and Norway should create a European Security Fund to provide Ukraine with a reliable source of financing, large enough to substitute the US. A Policy Brief by Daniel Gros Europe’s Defence Awakening: A High-Stakes Balancing Act The normalisation of war in political discourse is forcing a renegotiation of the European welfare state, a delicate balancing act that will determine whether defence budgets remain sustainable in the long run. A commentary by Stephanie Hofmann & Catherine E. De Vries Trumponomics Faces Market Test: Implications for Europe The heightened risk aversion triggered by Trump's policies has not spread to Europe, where optimism prevails regarding more cohesive and responsive policymaking. A commentary by Lorenzo Bini Smaghi Can EU Digital Competitiveness Survive Global Pressure? Should China and the US – where major market players are based – manage to sideline Europe in its regulatory isolation, the EU’s influence may wane. A commentary by Marco Bassini Pan-Regions and Trump’s Imperial Geography Trump’s ambitions to extend U.S. influence over neighboring countries align with Karl Haushofer’s notorious geopolitical doctrine. A new global order is emerging, and Europe may not be part of it. A commentary by Andrea Colli Policy Brief - The IMF and Europe under Trump II The Trump II Administration is likely to throw a wrench in coordination across European states in nearly every forum except one: the IMF and multilateral financial institutions. A Policy Brief by Catherine De Vries, and Sienna Nordquist Policy Brief - The Technological Paradigm, Stupid An enormous gap exists in AI innovation between the two sides of the Atlantic. Is there any hope for the EU to compete with AI technology developed by US-based firms? A Policy Brief by Giorgio Presidente The Real Target of Trump’s Crypto Strategy is the Federal Reserve The US President has halted plans for a central bank digital currency: a mere show of strength to undermine the Fed’s independence. A commentary by Ignazio Angeloni Foes’ with Benefits? The shared opposition of environmentalists and farmers to the EU-Mercosur trade deal reflects concerns about economic liberalization at the expense of ecological and social equity. A commentary by Pietro Galeone, Joseph Christopher Proctor, Romain Svartzman Why the Trump-Musk Challenge Presents an Opportunity for EU Digital Regulation The EU can demonstrate its commitment to digital sovereignty and the rule of law by taking decisive action. By doing so, Brussels would signal that neither tech giants nor foreign governments can override European democratic values. A commentary by Francesco Decarolis, and Guido Roveri Policy Brief - How To Defend EUkraine: What are the Military Options European countries should plan for a Peace Enforcement mission and prepare for either Non-Combat Security Assistance and Support or for Mobile Rapid Reaction Force in order to be prepared for a “what if conflict resumes”. A Policy Brief by Andrea Gilli, Mauro Gilli, and Niccolò Petrelli How Europe Can Prepare for a Post-Truce Ukraine A peace-enforcement mission, complemented by security assistance, stockpile regeneration, and a dedicated financial framework, would provide the necessary deterrence and resilience against future Russian aggression. A commentary by Andrea Gilli, Mauro Gilli, and Niccolò Petrelli IEP@BU Events Aula Manfredini, Via Sarfatti 25 27/03/2025, 16:30 - 27/03/2025, 19:00 Minimum wage and the role of social partners in light of the EU Directive Directive 2022/2041 aims to establish a minimum wage framework across the EU. The transposition deadline passed in November 2024, but few countries have fully implemented it. The seminar will assess its impact, focusing on social partners' role in setting wage standards. Read more... 12/03/2025, 15:30 - 12/03/2025, 16:30 The Acceleration of History: How Europe Can Survive in the New World The crises confronting Europe are evolving at such a rapid pace that politics struggles to respond effectively. These include the war in Ukraine, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and the Taiwan Strait. A digital event with Thomas Gomart (IFRI), Monica Perosino (La Stampa), and Stefano Feltri (IEP@BU) SDA Bocconi @ Rome 04/03/2025, 12:00 - 04/03/2025, 14:00 China-EU Relations in a Trumpian World The arrival of Donald Trump and the protectionist shift of the United States are forcing the European Union and China to redefine their relations. Could the American administration’s aggressive approach to trade encourage a rapprochement between the EU and China? Or does it make it even more necessary for Europe to pursue strategic autonomy and a risk-reduction strategy to mitigate dependence on unreliable trading partners? Aula Magna, Via Röntgen 1 04/03/2025, 10:15 - 04/03/2025, 11:45 Europe‘s Place in a Changing International Order At a time of fast changing international power dynamics, when alliances are giving way to transactional relations and the return of spheres of influence, where the economy is heavily weaponized and liberal democracies are under pressure from outside and from within, Europe faces a stark choice: take its future in its hands or have its future designed by the USA, China or Russia. Be a shaper or become a follower. Europe has what it takes: capital, talent, industry, deep markets and hard and soft power. Will Europe have the political courage? IEP@BU Report - Rules That Empower A new IEP@BU report analyzes the wave of new tech regulations in Europe and their effects to suggest a series of refinements needed to make them effective in promoting an EU-based tech sector. The report is coordinated by Francesco Decarolis IEP@BU Fellows Image Omiros Papaspiliopoulos Fellow Omiros Papaspiliopilous joined Bocconi as a Full Professor in 2021. Previous to that, he was ICREA Research Professor based at Universitat Pompeu Fabr... Image Andrea Rurale Fellow Andrea Rurale is a Lecturer at the Department of Marketing at Università Bocconi. At SDA Bocconi, he is the Director of the Master in Arts Management... Image Zachary Porreca Fellow Zachary Porreca is a postdoctoral fellow at Bocconi University. He completed his PhD in Economics at West Virginia University in 2023. He is an applie... Image Leonardo Borlini Fellow M.sc in Economics and Business Administration from Bocconi University (magna cum laude) and M.sc in Law (J.D. equivalent) from the University of Pavia... Image Andrea Gilli Non-resident Fellow Andrea Gilli is Lecturer in Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews, Senior Advisor to the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense in Italy,... Image Carlo Garbarino Fellow Carlo Garbarino graduated with a J.D., Magna cum Laude from University of Genoa in 1983. Combined program Ph.D. (Law), University of Genoa, ... Image Vincenzo Galasso Fellow Vincenzo Galasso is a Professor of Economics at Bocconi University, Head of the Department of Social and Political Science, and Director of APE - Anal... Image Alessandro Minichilli Fellow Alessandro Minichilli is a Full Professor at the Management & Technology Department of Bocconi University. At SDA Bocconi he is Associat... Image Gaia Rubera Fellow Gaia Rubera is Amplifon Chair in Customer Science and Full Professor of Marketing at Bocconi University, where she is the Head of the Marketing Depart... Image Ronald Burt Fellow Ronald Burt's work describes social networks creating advantage for certain people and groups. In addition to computer software and research art... Image Giorgio Sacerdoti Fellow Giorgio Sacerdoti has been Senior Professor since 1 November 2013. Emeritus since 2016. Formerly tenured professor of International Law and Europ... Image Stefano Filauro Fellow Stefano Filauro is an economist working as a post-doc at the Dondena Center. His main research interests are in welfare economics, with a focus on inc... Image Federica Genovese Non-Resident Fellow Federica Genovese is a Professor at the University of Oxford, Member of the Department of Politics and International Relations and Fellow at... Image Italo Colantone Fellow Italo is Associate Professor of Economic Policy at Bocconi University, in Milan. He works in the Department of Social and Political Sciences. He is a ... Image Gianluigi Riva Fellow After work experience in different fields (Military, HR, Sales, Legal, Startup, Consulting) Gianluigi Riva applied his skills in Legal Strategy for Bu... Image Michele Polo Fellow Michele Polo (B.A. in Economics at Bocconi University, M.Sc. in Economics at the London School of Economics, Ph.D. in Economics at Bocconi University)... Image Paolo Andrea Colombo Fellow Paolo Colombo is the Founder Member of Colombo & Associati.His professional experience mainly focuses on the following areas: Corporate Finance, M... Image Catherine De Vries IEP@BU President Catherine De Vries is President of the Institute for European Policymaking at Bocconi University. She is passionate about academic service and le... Image Stefano Caselli Fellow Stefano Caselli is the Dean of SDA Bocconi School of Management and he is Full Professor of Banking & Finance at the Department of Finance and Alg... Image Carlo Cottarelli Non-Resident Fellow Carlo Cottarelli obtained a degree in Economics and Banking from the University of Siena in 1977 and a Master in Economics from the London School of E... prev next WATCH OUR LATEST EVENT Remote video URL The Acceleration of History: How Europe Can Survive in the New World IEP@BU - EU Defense Industry and Policy Policy Brief: Defense Expenditure in EU Countries Much more work would be needed to quantify the potential savings from joint defense initiatives at the EU level. The available estimates, ranging from 20 to 100 billion, are not at all reliable. A Policy Brief by Carlo Cottarelli, and Lelouca Virgadamo Does the EU and its Member States try Harder than We Think? Cooperation between EU member states on issues of joint production and procurement is arguably less limited than IEP@BU Policy Brief by Cottarelli and Virgadamo suggests. A commentary by Stephanie C. Hofmann Why Need to Have a Clear Strategy When We Discuss Defense Expenditure Identifying the appropriate level of spending is difficult and there is not really any science about this. This is because different considerations play a role, including military strategy to political psychology. Andrea Gilli, and Mauro Gilli react to the recent IEP@BU Policy Brief Defense Expenditure in EU Countries The New Commission Needs a Strategy to Trump-Proof European Security If Trump is elected in November 2024, the security outlook of Europe could deteriorate very fast. It is therefore essential that the Commission and the forthcoming Defence Commissioner begin the policy planning and design well in advance. A commentary by Francesco Nicoli The Real Problem With the European Defense Industry The EU aerospace and defense companies invest in R&D as much as their US counterparts, with the primary difference being the size of the market, Daniel Gros, Philipp-Leo Mengel, Giorgio Presidente, and Jean Tirole argues Enrico Letta: Financing Europe's Leap Towards Defence Integration The European Union can only adequately tackle the intricate challenges of modernising its defence capabilities by exploring diverse financing mechanisms and integrating both public and private resources, Enrico Letta argues in his Much More than a Market report Time for a Real European Defense? Survey data suggest that recently announced EU Commission plans for a European Defence Strategy might lack ambition: western Europeans are unlikely to be enthused by half-backed compromises, Francesco Nicoli writes in a commentary Policy Brief - Before Vegetius: Critical Questions for European Defense n a more dangerous and unstable world, Europe must thus prepare for war to maintain peace and its security: as Vegetius noted, si vis pacem para bellum. However, increasing budgets is not enough if the EU does not address key strategic questions. A new website shows the roll-call votes in European Parliament by MEP, MEP, group, and country, going back to 2004. You can also download the data for free. By Simon Hix and Abdul Noury IEP@BU Newsletter Subscribe to receive IEP@BU updates, and participate in policy discussions Subscribe now IEP@BU is on Substack Subscribe to the IEP@BU Substack We are hiring! We have open opportunities for researchers to collaborate with IEP@BU fellows. 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