Contributor(s): Patricia Hogwood,Waltraud Schelkle,Ulrich Beck | Germany heads to the polls on September 22nd in elections that are being closely followed in Europe and beyond. With doubts over Greek debt and economic problems across Southern Europe, these elections are incredibly important to the future of the Eurozone. LSE Senior Lecturer in Political Economy, Waltraud Schelkle, examines the meaning of the elections for the EU. Dr Patricia Hogwood of the University of Westminster takes a closer look at the election campaign and other emerging parties, and world renowned German sociologist, Ulrich Beck, tells us why Europe should reinvent modernity. Presented by Chris Gilson. Produced by Cheryl Brumley. Other Contributors: Stuart Brown, Waltraud Schelkle, Patricia Howood and Ulrich Beck. Music and sound came courtesy of the following users at freesound.org: bebeto (loop022); suonho (memorymoon-pad and abstract-electrofunkbreak); and the following users from the FreeMusicArchive.org: Mermonte (Monte); Podington Bear (Easy-going); Ghost and the Song (Ou-Inme).

Contributor(s): Chris Gilson, Stuart Brown, Simon Glendinning, Paul Stock, Luuk van Middelaar | In this voxEUROPP episode we hear from renowned philosophers and historians about what it means to be 'European today'. Simon Glendinning, LSE Reader in European Philosophy, talks about EU 'experimenters', a third group which sits between dogmatists and skeptics. Paul Stock, LSE Lecturer in Early Modern International History, discusses how non-elitist voices can expand the notion of 'Europeanness' and Luuk van Middelaar speaks about his award-wining book in our 'Future of Europe' segment.

Contributor(s): Anne Applebaum, Clara Volintiru, Noam Chomsky | In this voxEUROPP episode we hear from specialists on politics in Eastern Europe and take an in-depth look at Europe’s austerity policies. Anne Applebaum, LSE’s 2012-2013 Philippe Roman Chair in History and International Affairs, speaks about the overreaching effects of ‘Putinsim’ on Russia’s economic system and democratic processes. Romanian Expert and LSE PhD student, Clara Volintiru discusses the referendum on the country’s presidency and whether or not the EU could do more to support democracy in the country. Renowned political critic Professor Noam Chomsky talks about the long-term effects of European austerity policy in our final “Future of Europe” segment.

Contributor(s): Paul Stock, Elke Krasny | This past February and early March, the London School of Economics held its 5th annual Space for Thought Literary Festival, under the theme of Branching Out. The Literary Festival commemorated the 300th anniversary of the French Enlightenment philosopher, art critic and writer Denis Diderot, who is best known for co-founding and editing the Encyclopedie. In celebration of the five day day event, the LSE's European Politics and Policy blog (EUROPP.eu) spoke to Dr Paul Stock, specialist in 18th and 19th century intellectual history at the LSE. Dr Stock chaired the festival's main event on the life and work of Denis Diderot. EUROPP also speak to Elke Krasny, curator, urbanist and Senior Lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Elke spoke to us as part of the event "Between Curatorial and Urban Practice", which explored how curation evolves amidst new urban contexts.

Contributor(s): Chris Gilson, Vassilis Monastriotis, Rainbow Murray, Professor Paul de Grauwe | We hear from specialists on the rise of the far right in Europe and examine the extent to which the growing popularity of right movements is linked to austerity. LSE Senior Lecturer in Political Economy of South Eastern Europe, Vassilis Monastriotis, traces the rise of the Golden Dawn Party in Greece. Reader in politics at Queen Mary University, Rainbow Murray, speaks to us about France's the Front National and why the apple may not fall too far from the Le Pen family tree. Professor Paul de Grauwe, Head of LSE's European Institute, speaks about his ideal Europe and why the financial crisis should lead to greater political unification. Presented by Chris Gilson. Produced by Cheryl Brumley. Other Contributors: Stuart Brown, Vassilis Monastriotis, Rainbow Murray, Paul de Grauwe. Music and sound came courtesy of the following users at freesound.org: bebeto (loop022); suonho (memorymoon-pad and abstract-electrofunkbreak); and the following users from the FreeMusicArchive.org: ghost and the song (Ou Inme); Super Flower (Camden Park).