Murray State University
Europe in the Age of Austerity: An Analysis of the Causes and Effects of Austerity in Spain, France, and Britain
Institution
Murray State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
David Pizzo; Mary Tripp Reed
Abstract
Spain, France, and Great Britain are, at this time, suffering from continued recession. In effect, austerity, round after round of budget cuts, and the slashing of social programs has become the primary focus of the European Union in order to resolve this devastating problem that has caused millions of people unemployed and without a home. By definition, austerity is the policy governments place on a country in order to reduce budget deficits during a time of economic turmoil. Austerity has become such a controversial topic, with political leaders having different attitudes towards it. Through travel abroad experiences, and interviews being conducted while abroad, I will be able to collect primary sources for this project. The interview purpose of this project is to acquire a different outlook on the topic rather than a mere academic point of view (i.e. historical, economic). Essentially, austerity has had a profound effect on contemporary Europeans and I seek to understand these changes qualitatively and subjectively in terms of how they are perceived. Ultimately, for my research I will propose a theory that describes how people experience, understand, and cope with austerity and economic hardship in the twenty-first century.
Europe in the Age of Austerity: An Analysis of the Causes and Effects of Austerity in Spain, France, and Britain
Spain, France, and Great Britain are, at this time, suffering from continued recession. In effect, austerity, round after round of budget cuts, and the slashing of social programs has become the primary focus of the European Union in order to resolve this devastating problem that has caused millions of people unemployed and without a home. By definition, austerity is the policy governments place on a country in order to reduce budget deficits during a time of economic turmoil. Austerity has become such a controversial topic, with political leaders having different attitudes towards it. Through travel abroad experiences, and interviews being conducted while abroad, I will be able to collect primary sources for this project. The interview purpose of this project is to acquire a different outlook on the topic rather than a mere academic point of view (i.e. historical, economic). Essentially, austerity has had a profound effect on contemporary Europeans and I seek to understand these changes qualitatively and subjectively in terms of how they are perceived. Ultimately, for my research I will propose a theory that describes how people experience, understand, and cope with austerity and economic hardship in the twenty-first century.