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Framing EU-Criticism in Dominant Newspapers

Framing EU-Criticism in Dominant Newspapers. Katri Vallaste April 13th, 2007. Problems with definition. Euroscepticism and Europhilia equally difficult to define (Daddow 2006) Euroskepticism (soft vs . hard), Europhobia, Europragmatism, Euroenthusiasm, etc. Defining as a mere formality

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Framing EU-Criticism in Dominant Newspapers

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  1. Framing EU-Criticism in Dominant Newspapers Katri Vallaste April 13th, 2007

  2. Problems with definition • Euroscepticism and Europhilia equally difficult to define (Daddow 2006) • Euroskepticism (soft vs. hard), Europhobia, Europragmatism, Euroenthusiasm, etc. • Defining as a mere formality • Normative usage in research • Why is it helpful to make typologies á la Taggart & Szczerbiak/Kopecky & Mudde?

  3. According to Taggart 1998, Euroscepticism… • ”expresses the idea of contingent or qualified opposition, as well as incorporating outright and unqualified opposition to the process of European integration”

  4. Assumptions • EU-criticism is socially constructed • Mainstream media play a significant role in constructing social phenomena

  5. Data • Dominant newspapers in • Sweden: Dagens Nyheter • Finland: Helsingin Sanomat • Estonia: Postimees • Time frame 2000-2006 • Electronic data

  6. Frames • Contextualization • Thought organizers

  7. Preliminary findings • Euroscepticism is discussed in the context of ”problems” • Euroscepticism ”foreign” in Finland and Estonia, ”domestic” in Sweden (Junilistan)

  8. Biased vs. neutral language • “The leader of [UKIP] Nigel Farage threatened on Monday to make UKIP into a mass movement” • “The EU-critical list [Junilistan] wants to transfer power from Brussels to member states and organize a referendum in Sweden regarding the new EU constitution. The members of Junilistan have their background in different parties”

  9. Disease metaphors • “The critical attitude of Swedish citizens toward EU membership […] is not easing off” • ”The citizens’ clear dissatisfaction regarding the EU in many member states could develop into an inflammation if something is not done about it”

  10. The scared or the scary? • The scared • “In Britain […] the Constitution [for Europe] is feared to narrow Britain’s sovereignty” • Or the scary? • “Serious fear has arisen that the tiny Independence Party will eat the vote harvest of the Conservatives.”

  11. ‘Logic of difference’ and a ‘logic of equivalence’ (Laclau & Mouffe 1985) • ”Buttler has also met such people perceived the EU as a curse to get rid of. One even comes across people who will waive their fists and spit on [you], but Buttler does not complain” • ”The most regrettable surprise was that citizens did not seem to be interested in the EU. The percent of electoral participation was worse than ever at 45.3. […] The second surprise of the elections was the number of member states in which Euroskeptical parties won great favor”

  12. Thank you!

  13. ”Euroscepticism” lives a ”life of its own” • Criticizing the EU is an activity • Who are the actors: inside perspective • Carsten Schymik’s and Jochen Hille’s unpublished doctoral theses on Eurosceptic movements • Who talk about Euroscepticism: outside perspective • Politicians • Media

  14. Social construction of the EU • Are proponents/opponents supporting/opposing different entities? • Swedes, Finns and Estonians live in different EUs • EU as a moving target

  15. It makes a difference… • Who holds a view • Where a view is held • When a view is held • Whether a view is held passively or actively • If passively—why? • If actively—how?

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