Fantasies of subjugation: a discourse theoretical account of British policy on the European Union

Abstract

The decision by the UK government to hold a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union (EU) marks an important development in policy towards the EU. Policy changes of this kind must be understood in the historical and political context in which they occur. This includes the framing of the policy issues within public discourse. In the UK, policies are formed in a discursive environment which is overwhelmingly hostile towards the EU. Debates are structured by a predominantly Euroskeptic discourse which emphasizes the UK's separation and heterogeneity from the rest of the EU. Drawing on the logics of critical explanation, this article examines the structure and affective power of Euroskeptic discourses which dictate the terms of the EU debate. It presents a case study of the recent EU treaty revision process, culminating in the Treaty of Lisbon. In so doing, it enables a deeper understanding of recent policy developments.

European spaces and the Roma: Denaturalizing the naturalized in online reader comments

“…It is our view that mediated public spheres such as our data set become ideal ‘locations’ for dangerous ideologies to simmer and later manifest themselves as to affect governmental policies with real and significant consequences. Hawkins (2015) concluded his study of what he termed ‘a hegemonic and highly sedimented Euroskeptic discourse’ in British media surrounding the 2009 Treaty of Lisbon by warning that an understanding of Euroskeptic discourse is essential in explaining the ambivalent and often conflictual relationship which has existed between British governments and their European partners since Britain’s accession to the European Communities almost four decades ago. This discourse lies at the heart of British political debate and provides the backdrop against which the UK may plausibly vote to leave the EU before the end of the decade.…”

Defending the Traditional Polish Way of Life: The Role of Fantasies

“…Horrific fantasies, in turn, defend a certain identity from dislocatory experiences. Beatific and horrific fantasies, therefore, describe the affective power that holds subjects tied to a certain identity by referring to a lost totality or a fullness-to-come (Hawkins, 2015). Yet, they do not explain what this imaginary totality is and nor do they specify how to define it analytically.…”

Half-full or half-empty? Framing of UK–EU relations during the Brexit referendum campaign

“…Their potential effect on public opinion becomes particularly relevant in politically polarised contexts where direct democracy instruments are adopted (Morel and Qvortrup 2018). Academic works on framing of EU-related issues tend to focus on specific events such as treaty revisions and elections (Hawkins 2015), while others compare the mobilizing effect of the media across the EU (Scheufele and Tewksbury 2006;Schuck, Vliegenthart, and de Vreese 2016). A more recent strand investigates how elements such as public debt and the influx of refugees are framed as crises and its impact on domestic politics (Schimmelfennig 2014;Greussing and Boomgaarden 2017;Börzel and Risse 2018).…”