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This study delves into the social construction of EU-criticism by analyzing coverage in leading newspapers from Sweden, Finland, and Estonia between 2000-2006. By framing Euroscepticism in the context of societal constructs, the research aims to shed light on the complexities of defining and understanding Eurosceptic attitudes. Preliminary findings suggest varied perceptions, with Euroscepticism being considered "foreign" in Finland and Estonia, and "domestic" in Sweden. Biased and neutral language, disease metaphors, and the scared/scary dichotomy are explored to understand the nuances of EU criticism. The influence of mainstream media in shaping public opinion and the role of key actors such as politicians and scholars in discussing Euroscepticism are analyzed. This study provides valuable insights into how different actors and contexts contribute to the evolving discourse on Euroscepticism.
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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 • Normative usage in research • Why is it helpful to make typologies á la Taggart & Szczerbiak/Kopecky & Mudde?
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”
Assumptions • EU-criticism is socially constructed • Mainstream media play a significant role in constructing social phenomena
Data • Dominant newspapers in • Sweden: Dagens Nyheter • Finland: Helsingin Sanomat • Estonia: Postimees • Time frame 2000-2006 • Electronic data
Frames • Contextualization • Thought organizers
Preliminary findings • Euroscepticism is discussed in the context of ”problems” • Euroscepticism ”foreign” in Finland and Estonia, ”domestic” in Sweden (Junilistan)
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”
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”
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.”
‘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”
”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
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
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?
