International Integration

International Integration is centered within the Institute for International Integration Studies (IIIS), this theme addresses the process of globalization as enacted via flows of capital, ideas, investment, people and trade, the institutions and governance related to those flows and the ongoing integration of markets and states.

International Integration Research actrivity promotes questioning and learning about the many dimensions of global and European integration, its dynamics, impacts and governance.

Benefits to Society

Researchers in this area seeks to better understand the causes and consequences of international integration - also known as globalisation - by forging dialogue between the relevant disciplines. It analyses the different layers of globalisation – financial, political, technological, media-based, cultural and religious – and develops frameworks and criteria for solutions to improve the management and outcomes of globalisation processes.

Research at Trinity

Centered within the Institute for International Integration Studies (IIIS), this theme addresses the process of globalisation as enacted via flows of capital, ideas, investment, people and trade, the institutions and governance related to those flows and the ongoing integration of markets and states. The theme is centered on the following three flagship research areas:

1. International Macro Economics and Multi-level Governance/European Integration

International Macroeconomics and Political & Economic Integration are major areas of scholarly endeavor within the theme of International Integration. Overall, International Macroeconomics allows us to understand how the world economy works as a whole and how country specific aggregates (such as unemployment, investments, exchange rate, inflation, etc.) are affected.The main focal points for this research include the measurement of cross-border financial holdings; the role of international valuation effects in the external adjustment process; the analysis of European monetary union; and the impact of globalisation on Irish macroeconomic policies; fiscal policy in EMU; International trade and competitiveness.It is important to note that the research by its nature is interdisciplinary. For example Political Scientists have interests around EU institutions, politics and policy and governance.

2. Migration

Migration continues to be one of the key areas of enquiry within International Integration at Trinity. In a changing Ireland, migration and emigration are some of the key challenges faced. In order to design effective policies, sound evidence on the economic, social and cultural impact of migration is needed. In recent years, researchers have been involved in several large-scale projects, in particular the Trinity Immigration Initiative and two European funded projects.

3. The Development Challenge

The overall aim of research and learning in this area is to understand how international integration affects low-income countries and how issues of global disparities in the development process can be addressed. By its very nature, this research is of global consequence. Research within this area addresses the development challenge facing the poorest and most vulnerable countries in the world, and in particular, how international integration impacts on the development process, for better or worse.Understanding the impact of international integration on the development process is central to the globalisation debate. Wide disparities in living standards between and within countries are a destabilizing force in terms of international security and migration patterns, and global poverty is a substantial human rights violation. Moreover, the extent to which international integration widens these disparities further is a question that requires due consideration in globalisation research. For policymakers, the efficient allocation of international aid budgets requires significant academic research input, in particular in understanding the effectiveness of aid. In addition, the developing world is centrally important to the policy debate on global issues such as climate change; global supply chains; international public health; the international financial and trading systems; and international migration. Finally, with an appropriate institutional infrastructure in place, improving access to the international pool of knowledge and capital can accelerate progress in living standards in low income countries and provide important sources of innovation.

Research Champion

The research champion for this theme is Professor Louis Brennan.