Noah Damski
Fourth-year undergraduate pursuing dual degrees in Economics and International Studies with a Europe focus. My work sits at the intersection of political economy, European integration, and international trade. I have experience in academic research, policy analysis, and financial technology.
Shaping European Politics: Far-Right Populist Narratives in the 2024 EP Elections in Austria and Hungary
This article analyzes the 2024 European Parliament campaign speeches of Austria's Herbert Kickl (FPÖ) and Hungary's Viktor Orbán (Fidesz) through comparative discourse analysis. Drawing on Cas Mudde's concept of populism and A. James McAdams's notion of Far-Right Newspeak, the study identifies key rhetorical strategies — nationalist framing, fear-based appeals, and the politicization of religion — and shows how both leaders construct moral binaries and redefine democratic norms while operating within formal democratic structures.
Regional Integration as a Stumbling Block: Gravity Evidence from EU–ACP Trade
This paper examines whether intra-regional trade integration among African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries acts as a stumbling block or building block for their bilateral trade with the European Union. Using a panel of 78 ACP countries across seven Regional Economic Communities paired with all 27 EU member states over 1995–2021, PPML gravity models find a significant stumbling-block effect: higher intra-REC trade shares are associated with lower EU–ACP bilateral trade. Economic Partnership Agreements significantly moderate this effect, suggesting deeper EU–ACP agreements can partially offset trade diversion from regional integration.
The Collapse of the Spitzenkandidaten Process and the EU's Democratic Deficit
This paper argues that the current process for selecting the President of the European Commission produces a structural democratic deficit by weakening the electoral significance of European Parliament elections, reinforcing executive dominance by national leaders, and marginalizing parliamentary actors in ways that contradict the spirit of the Lisbon Treaty. The selection of Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President in 2019 serves as the central case through which these institutional tensions are examined.
4th Annual PREDOC.org Research Conference
Presenting "Regional Integration as a Stumbling Block: Gravity Evidence from EU–ACP Trade" at the PREDOC.org Research Conference, a selective national conference hosted at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. The conference brings together pre-doctoral researchers to present original work in economics and social science.
24th Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union
Presenting "The Collapse of the Spitzenkandidaten Process and the EU's Democratic Deficit" at the oldest and largest undergraduate EU research conference in the United States. Selected papers are published in the Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference Journal on the European Union.
Schuman Challenge
Representing the University of Florida at the Schuman Challenge, a national Model EU simulation bringing together delegates from universities across the United States to simulate EU legislative and institutional processes.
UF Model EU Competition
Won UF's Model EU competition as a delegate for the European Union Club, qualifying to represent the University of Florida at the national Schuman Challenge in Washington, DC. Developed and defended policy positions, negotiated with peer delegates, and demonstrated understanding of EU governance and legislative procedure.