Let’s talk about Europe. Explaining vertical and horizontal Europeanization in the quality press (2007)

Abstract

This paper contributes to the ongoing quest for a European public sphere understood as a structural transformation of national media debates. The process of Europeanization has a vertical and a horizontal dimension: an increased focus on the EU as well as more attention for other European countries. A content analysis of quality newspapers in five EU member states covering a period of 20 years reveals common trends across different countries but no convergence over time. Four different patterns of Europeanization can be identified: comprehensive Europeanization, segmented Europeanization, Europeanization aloof from the EU, a parochial public sphere. This paper pushes research in this area ahead by identifying and testing factors which explain these differences in newspaper coverage. In-depth case analysis as well as regression analysis show that the editorial mission of a newspaper and the size of a country have a significant effect on patterns of Europeanization. Contrary to common expectations, the number of correspondents in Brussels and the degree of popular identification with Europe did not significantly affect patterns of Europeanization.

Brüggemann, Michael; Kleinen-v. Königslöw, Katharina (2009): Let´s talk about Europe. Explaining Vertical and Horizontal Europeanization in the Quality Press. In European Journal of Communication 24 (1), pp. 27–48. Available online at http://www.state.uni-bremen.de/pages/pubApBeschreibung.php?SPRACHE=de&ID=68.

Grenzen politischer Transparenz in Europa (2007)

Abstract

Über eine Million Dokumente umfasst das Internet-Angebot der EU – eine gewaltige Informationsmenge, die den Bürgern per Maus-Klick unter http://europa.eu zur Verfügung steht. Und doch beklagt Richard Upson vom Brüsseler Think Tank European Citizen Action Service ein „Informationsdefizit“. Zwar geht von Brüssel eine wahre Informationssturmflut aus, aber damit ist nicht gesagt, dass die Bürger die Informationen bekommen, die sie suchen und die für sie relevant sind. Die Folgen dieses Defizits zeigen sich am weit verbreiteten Unwissen über die EU, das auch einen Teil der Skepsis gegenüber der EU erklärt.

Brüggemann, Michael (2007): Grenzen politischer Transparenz in Europa. In Die politische Meinung 55 (5), pp. 9–13. Available online at https://www.kas.de/de/web/die-politische-meinung/artikel/detail/-/content/grenzen-politischer-transparenz-in-europa.

Segmented Europeanization. Exploring the legitimacy of the European Union from a public discourse perspective (2007)

Abstract

The article presents the results of a longitudinal newspaper analysis on the Europeanization of public discourses in five EU countries. It shows that European governance is increasingly subject to public scrutiny, but neither has a common discourse in Europe developed nor has the communication lag of the EU disappeared. Therefore the EU remains largely dependent on domestic processes of legitimation.

Sifft, Stefanie; Brüggemann, Michael; Kleinen-von Königslöw, Katharina; Peters, Bernhard; Wimmel, Andreas (2007): Segmented Europeanization. Exploring the Legitimacy of the European Union from a Public Discourse Perspective. In Journal of Common Market Studies 45 (1), pp. 127–156. Available online at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5965.2007.00706.x.

The Commission White Paper on communication. Mapping a way to a European public sphere (2006)

Abstract

In its recent White Paper on a European Communication Policy, the European Commission has promised a “fundamentally new approach”. The policy is meant to narrow the communication gap looming between the European Union and its citizens and ultimately to map a way towards the development of a European public sphere. In contrast to the so called ‘Action Plan’ for improving the Commission’s own communication from July 2005, the White Paper is addressed to the EU as a whole, including other central institutions, member states, European political parties and even ‘civil society’. The purpose of this Policy Brief is to critically evaluate the proposals emanating from the White Paper and to advance several suggestions aimed at helping the current initiative to have a more tangible and long-term effect than its many predecessors, authored by Messrs Tindemans, Adonnino, Oostlander, DeClerq, Pex or Pinheiro.

Kurpas, Sebastian; Brüggemann, Michael; Meyer, Christoph (2006): The Commission White Paper on Communication. Mapping a Way to a European Public Sphere. Brussels (CEPS Policy Brief 101 / May 2006). Available online at http://shop.ceps.be/bookdetail.php?item_id=1328.

Kein Experte ist wie der andere. Vom Umgang mit Missionaren und Geschichtenerzählern (2006)

Abstract

Der vorliegende Text leistet einen Beitrag zur Weiterentwicklung des Experteninterviews als Erhebungsinstrument in den Sozialwissenschaften. Im Mittelpunkt steht das Interviewverhalten der Befragten – ein Aspekt, der in der bisherigen Literatur zum Experteninterview zu wenig Beachtung gefunden hat. Die Rolle, die der Experte im Interview einnimmt, so unsere These, ist dabei letztlich mitentscheidend für den Erfolg und die weitere Verwertbarkeit der durch ein Interview gesammelten Antworten. Neben Faktoren wie der allgemeinen Vorbereitung, der Ausarbeitung der Fragen und der Auswertungsmethode wird damit die Gesprächsführung zur entscheidenden Determinante der Qualität eines Experteninterviews. Der Beitrag entwickelt eine Typologie unterschiedlicher
Interviewpartner und stellt deren jeweilige Besonderheiten dar. Experten lassen sich nach ihrem Kommunikationsstil (detailverliebt, anekdotenhaft, abstrahierend, ausweichend, contra-faktisch) und nach ihrer Intention, an einem Interview teilzunehmen (Informationsweitergabe, Persuasion), unterscheiden. Entlang dieser beiden Dimensionen lassen sich zehn Typen von Experten unterscheiden. Eine solche Typologie hilft, Herausforderungen an eine Interviewsituation (Zeitmanagement, Faktensammlung, Ermittlung von Meinungen) frühzeitig zu erkennen und Interviewstrategien (aktives Zeitmanagement, Konkretisierung, Konfrontation, Bekenntnisstrategie, Versachlichungsstrategie) zu entwickeln, um möglichen problematischen Verhaltensmustern, die solche Experten zeigen, entgegenzuwirken.

Martens, Kerstin; Brüggemann, Michael (2006): Kein Experte ist wie der andere. Vom Umgang mit Missionaren und Geschichtenerzählern. Bremen (TranState Working Paper, 39). Available online at http://www.state.uni-bremen.de/pages/pubApBeschreibung.php?SPRACHE=de&ID=45.

Informing European citizens? Evaluating the activities of the European Commission in the field of Information (2006)

Abstract

This cost-benefit study assesses the different programmes and actions in the area of information carried out by the European Commission and financed by the Community budget over the period 2000-05. Using the criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and utility (as set out in the terms of reference provided by the European Parliament), the study shows that the overall assessment in terms of ‘value for money’ is positive. However, there is still room for improvement concerning all the actions. The study covers the following aspects: 1) The audiovisual sector, including co-productions (APCAV), the Commission’s Audiovisual Service (EbS and the running of studios) and contracts with Euronews, 2) the EUROPA website, 3) written publications, 4) the Europe Direct call centre, 5) Eurobarometer and 6) information outlets.

Kurpas, Sebastian; Clerck-Sachsse, Julia de; Brüggemann, Michael (2006): Informing European Citizens? Evaluating the Activities of the European Commission in the field of Information (Study commissioned by the European Parliament Budget Committee, 31 August 2006). Available online at http://shop.ceps.be/bookdetail.php?item_id=1406.

Towards communication? Evaluating the activities of the European Commission in the field of communication (2006)

Abstract

European integration has become not only a political but also a communication challenge. In order to bridge the gap in communication between European citizens and the EU, the European Commission undertakes various communication measures which add up to an emerging European communication policy. This evolving policy is currently undergoing major reforms based on Margot Wallström’s ‘Action Plan to Improve Communicating Europe’ and the ‘White Paper on a European Communication Policy’. This study examines, on behalf of the EP’s Budgetary Committee, the most important measures that came under communication headings in the general budget undertaken under the Commission’s prerogatives in the years 2000 to 2005 with a view to developing recommendations for future actions. The focus of the study is to establish how much ‘value for money’ these measures represent by looking at their relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and utility. This study deals with the following areas of activity: 1) media relations and particularly the spokespersons’ service and seminars for journalists, 2) the PRINCE campaigns and in detail with the measures on the Euro, EU enlargement and the debate on the future of Europe, 3) decentralisation and the work of the Commission’s Representations and 4) the communication activities of DGs other than DG Comm and how they are coordinated. In this summary of the study we will first present, as a general conclusion, five main challenges for future actions that apply across the board.

Brüggemann, Michael; Kurpas, Sebastian; Clerck-Sachsse, Julia de (2006): Towards Communication? Evaluating the Activities of the European Commission in the field of Communication (Study commissioned by the European Parliament Budget Committee, 31 August 2006). Available online at http://shop.ceps.be/bookdetail.php?item_id=1405.

Segmented Europeanization. The transnationalization of public spheres in Europe: Trends and patterns (2006)

Abstract

The existence of a European public sphere, a public network of exchange of opinions and ideas on political issues, has come to be seen as a prerequisite for the democratic legitimacy of the European Union. The paper conceptualizes the Europeanization of the national public spheres as a gradual process that may occur on four different dimensions: 1. monitoring governance, 2. mutual observation, 3. discursive exchange, and 4. collective identification with Europe. It then presents the results of our empirical research on the transnationalization of public spheres in Europe: What is the prevailing pattern of Europeanization that can be observed in different countries of the EU?
We have conducted a quantitative content analysis of the political discourses in quality newspapers of five EU member states (Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain) over a period of twenty years. According to our analysis of more than 3,000 articles the main pattern of transnationalization to be found in all countries is segmented Europeanization: Within each public sphere we find more and more talk about European institutions and policies but there is no indication of an increase in the debate in between the national public spheres. In addition, we find weak indications of a gradually developing European “we”-perspective.

Brüggemann, Michael; Sifft, Stefanie; Kleinen-v. Königslöw, Katharina; Peters, Berhard; Wimmel, Andreas (2006): Segmented Europeanization. The Transnationalization of Public Spheres in Europe. Trends and Patterns. TranState Working Paper 37. Bremen. Available online at http://www.state.uni-bremen.de/pages/pubApBeschreibung.php?SPRACHE=de&ID=40.

Segmentierte Europäisierung. Die Transnationalisierung von Öffentlichkeit in Europa: Trends und Muster (2006)

Abstract

Bisher beschränkt sich die Debatte um eine „Europäische Medienöffentlichkeit” vor allem auf mögliche Voraussetzungen und Bedingungen, die für ihre Konstitution notwendig seien, während empirisch gestützte Analysen zu ihrem aktuellen Entwicklungsstand weitgehend fehlen oder bestenfalls als Momentaufnahmen eines längerfristigen Prozesses interpretiert werden können.’ So bleibt trotz erster Forschungsbemühungen die zentrale Frage unbeantwortet, inwieweit und mit welcher Qualität sich ein Wandel nationaler Medienöffentlichkeiten in Europa bereits vollzogen hat: Hat medienvermittelte Kommunikation über die Europäische Union die Stufe routinemaßiger außenpolitischer Berichterstattung und Debatte schon längst überflügelt, wie Klaus Eder und Cathleen Kantner (2000, 307) behaupten? Oder ist Jürgen Gerhards (2000, 295) zuzustimmen, der in einer Studie festgestellt hat, dass der Europäisierungsgrad zumindest der deutschen Medienöffentlichkeit dem gestiegenen politischen Einfluss der EU nach wie vor erheblich hinterherhinkt?

Brüggemann, Michael; Sifft, Stefanie; Kleinen-v. Königslöw, Katharina; Peters, Bernhard; Wimmel, Andreas (2006): Segmentierte Europäisierung. Die Transnationalisierung von Öffentlichkeit in Europa. Trends und Muster. In Michael Latzer, Florian Saurwein (Eds.): Medialer Wandel und Europäische Öffentlichkeit. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, pp. 214–231. Available online at https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-531-90272-2_10.

National and Transnational Public Spheres: The Case of the EU (2005)

Abstract

While many important social processes cut across national borders and have transnational institutions to regulate them, democratic participation still occurs almost exclusively within individual nation states. Public information and debate are essential ingredients of democracy, and their confinement to the individual national public sphere threatens the democratic aspirations and legitimacy of transnational institutions. Therefore, it is often argued that the European Union can only achieve greater legitimacy if there is a Europeanization of national public spheres. Has public discourse in fact Europeanized in the last decades? Here we present results from a study of major national newspapers from five European countries. Europeanization is defined in three dimensions: Europeanization of contents, Europeanization of public identities, and Europeanization of communication flows. Our results show that national public spheres are, in fact, quite resilient and that change is slow or halting. We discuss several possible explanations for this resilience, and go on to question the assumption that the legitimacy of European institutions depends on Europeanization of public discourse.

Peters, Bernhard; Sifft, Stefanie; Wimmel, Andreas; Brüggemann, Michael; Kleinen-von Königslöw, Katharina (2005): National and Transnational Public Spheres. The Case of the EU. In European Review 13 (Supp. No. 1), pp. 139–160. Available online at https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511752193.007.