Description
The issue of European integration did not feature prominently in national party politics in most EU member states until recently. In the so-called period of permissive consensus, parliaments and electorates let their governments decide on European integration because of deference, indifference or support. However, Eurosceptic political entrepreneurs and referendums have incited the politicization of the EU issue in Western Europe in the last two decades. This issue has increasingly become part of party-political competition. This thesis seminar focuses on the origins and consequences of partisan Euroscepticism in Western Europe, particularly since Europe has been hit by debt crises. Key questions in this seminar are: Is it electoral strategy or ideology explaining parties’ Euroscepticism? Does support for Eurosceptic parties reflect political, economic, cultural or anti-establishment inclinations within the electorates? Are Eurosceptic parties excluded from cooperation with other parties in parliament and government? And, how have governments been affected by partisan Euroscepticism?
In the first part of the seminar, students will acquaint themselves with the necessary concepts and theories of Euroscepticism in order to draft a research proposal. After the proposal’s approval, students writing their thesis will be supervised individually.
The case of the Netherlands will be discussed in more detail in the specialisation Dutch Politics.
Method of instruction
Working groups (block 3) and individual supervision (block 4).
Literature (to be read in January)
Leconte, C. (2007), Understanding Euroscepticism. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Brug, W. van der & Spanje, J. van (2009), ‘Immigration, Europe and the ‘New’ Cultural Cleavage’, European Journal of Political Research, 48: 308-334
Lubbers, M. & Scheepers, P. (2010), ‘Divergent Trends of Euroscepticism in Countries and Regions of the European Union’, in European Journal of Political Research. 49: 787-817.
Hix, S. & Marsh, M. (2007), ‘Punishment or Protest? Understanding European Parliament Elections’, in The Journal of Politics, 69(2), 495-510
Hooghe, L. & Marks, G. (2008), ‘A Postfunctionalist Theory of European Integration: From Permissive Consensus to Constraining Dissensus’, British Journal of Political Science. Vol. 39, 1-23.
Mair, P. (2006), ‘Political Parties and Party Systems’, in P. Graziano & M.P. Vink (eds.), Europeanization: New Research Agendas. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. 154-166.
Schmidt, V.A. (2007), ‘Trapped by their Ideas: French Elites’ Discourses of European Integration and Globalization’, in Journal of European Public Policy, 14(7), 992-1009.
Only for students in the specialisation Dutch Politics:
Vollaard, H. (2011), ‘The Dutch discourses of a small nation in an inefficient Europe: Cosmopolitanism, pragmatism, and nationalism’, in R. Harmsen & J. Schild (eds.), Debating Europe: The 2009 European Parliament Elections and beyond. Baden-Baden: Nomos. 85-103
Recommended literature
Külahci, E. (ed.) (2012), Europeanisation and Party Politics: how the EU affects Domestic Actors, Patterns, and Systems. Colchester: ECPR Press.
O’Brennan, J. & T. Raunio (eds.) (2007), National Parliaments within the Enlarging European Union: From Victims of Integration to Competitive Actors? London: Routledge.
Poguntke, Th. Et al. (eds.) (2007), The Europeanization of National Political Parties: Power and Organizational Adaptation. London: Routledge.
Scszerbiak, A. & Taggart, P. (eds.) (2008), Opposing Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (Volume I and II).
See for country papers: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sei/publications
Examination
Research proposal; Master thesis
Requirements
Participants should have a basic understanding of European integration and the country or countries they study. Passive knowledge of the language(s) of the country or countries studies is highly recommended.
Schedule
The lecturer will inform you about the schedule.