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A “More Political” Commission? Reassessing EC Politicization through Language

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  • Pamela Pansardi
  • Pier Domenico Tortola

Abstract

This article contributes to the study of the European Commission's (EC) politicization by examining this phenomenon from the angle of communication. We elaborate a novel approach based on two linguistic indicators – charisma and technicality – which we then apply through a content analysis of 8,947 speeches delivered by Commission members between 1999 and 2019. Contrary to the narrative of an ever more political Commission, we find that the linguistic politicization of the EC decreased over the period under exam, reaching its nadir during Jean‐Claude Juncker's presidential term (2014–19). Our findings raise the question of whether language is yet another ordinary dimension of politicization, or rather it is used strategically by the Commission to underplay its underlying politicization as measured in more traditional institutional, policy, and individual terms. Either way, our study highlights the multi‐faceted nature of the politicization concept, and the need for deeper and more nuanced analyses of it.

Suggested Citation

  • Pamela Pansardi & Pier Domenico Tortola, 2022. "A “More Political” Commission? Reassessing EC Politicization through Language," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(4), pages 1047-1068, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:60:y:2022:i:4:p:1047-1068
    DOI: 10.1111/jcms.13298
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Henriette Müller & Pamela Pansardi, 2023. "Women Leading the Opposition: Gender and Rhetoric in the European Parliament," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(1), pages 164-176.

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