Politicizing European integration: struggling with the awakening giant

Abstract

What role does European integration play in domestic politics? While many believe this issue is about to fundamentally reshape domestic politics, others argue that the 'sleeping giant' is, and will remain, fast asleep. Innovatively fusing two research strands - political communication and European integration politics - this text engages in the ongoing debate about the politicization of Europe by arguing that the question of how best to deal with the multifaceted nature of the European integration issue poses a tough challenge for the political elites in Western Europe. Substantiated by new evidence based on media-content analysis, the book shows how the complex nature of this issue results in multiple, sometimes contradictory, linkages with traditional political divides and in bitter framing contests about the meaning of what Europe is actually about.