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Feeling the Heat: Emotions, Politicization, and the European Union

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  • C. Nicolai L. Gellwitzki
  • Anne‐Marie Houde

Abstract

For over a decade, scholars of European studies have been studying a phenomenon referred to as the politicization of the European Union, usually defined as the intensification of a political debate, the polarization of opinions, and public resonance. This article extends existing explanatory models by offering a systematic theorization of the role of emotions in EU politicization to establish that emotions are integral to every step of the process. First, they are prerequisites as actors and audiences need to be emotionally invested in an issue to engage in a debate about it. Second, they are drivers since they fuel debates and allow them to get heated and polarized. Third, they are outcomes since politicization will engender new emotional investments and sensitivities. The analytical added value of integrating emotions into explanatory models is illustrated through the case of the Brexit campaign.

Suggested Citation

  • C. Nicolai L. Gellwitzki & Anne‐Marie Houde, 2022. "Feeling the Heat: Emotions, Politicization, and the European Union," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(5), pages 1470-1487, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:60:y:2022:i:5:p:1470-1487
    DOI: 10.1111/jcms.13328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hanspeter Kriesi, 2016. "The Politicization of European Integration," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54, pages 32-47, September.
    2. Mercer, Jonathan, 2010. "Emotional Beliefs," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 64(1), pages 1-31, January.
    3. Paul Statham & Hans-Jörg Trenz, 2013. "How European Union Politicization can Emerge through Contestation: The Constitution Case," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(5), pages 965-980, September.
    4. Hooghe, Liesbet & Marks, Gary, 2009. "A Postfunctionalist Theory of European Integration: From Permissive Consensus to Constraining Dissensus," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 39(1), pages 1-23, January.
    5. Pieter De Wilde & Michael Zürn, 2012. "Can the Politicization of European Integration be Reversed?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(S1), pages 137-153, March.
    6. Swen Hutter & Edgar Grande, 2014. "Politicizing Europe in the National Electoral Arena: A Comparative Analysis of Five West European Countries, 1970–2010," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(5), pages 1002-1018, September.
    7. Hutter, Swen & Kriesi, Hanspeter, 2019. "Politicizing Europe in times of crisis," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 26(7), pages 996-1017.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesca Melhuish, 2022. "Euroscepticism, Anti‐Nostalgic Nostalgia and the Past Perfect Post‐Brexit Future," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(6), pages 1758-1776, November.

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