Rethinking Politicisation in Politics, Sociology and International Relations
- 2021
- Book
- Editor
- Prof. Dr. Claudia Wiesner
- Book Series
- Palgrave Studies in European Political Sociology
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing
About this book
This book decisively advances the academic debate on politicisation beyond the state of the art. It is the first book to theorise and conceptualise ‘politicisation’ across the epistemic communities of different subdisciplines, bringing together the different strands in the debate: (international) political theory, political sociology, comparative politics, EU studies, legal theory and international relations. This provides a comprehensive discussion of different concepts of politicisation, their ontological and theoretical backgrounds, and their analytical value, including speech-act, practice- and actor-oriented approaches. Furthermore, the linkages of politicisation to the concepts of politics and the political, democracy, depoliticisation, juridification, populism, and Euroscepticism are clarified. Finally, the book shows how the methodological toolbox in empirical politicisation research can be completed regarding different arenas, actors and modes of politicisation. The volume thus provides a much-needed theoretical and conceptual reflection to the newly emerging research field of politicisation in order to recognise and define the key issues and build a solid foundation for further debate and empirical research.
‘When does something come to be considered political - for good or for ill? In social scientific terms, what is politicisation, under what conditions does it occur, created by whom, and with what consequences. These questions drive this outstanding collection of papers that explore how politicization is to be theorized and methodologies for its study. Rather than just a special sphere of activity, the volume demonstrates how politics is best thought of as an activity that can occur across individual and various collective levels. One of the signature contributions of this volume is its exploration of these issues across disciplines: political science, philosophy, sociology and international relations. The texts will be of interest to all students of politics at a time when the very basis of political identity, action, and organization is contested, normatively and analytically. The texts will help bring clarity to these debates.’
—David L. Swartz, Department of Sociology, Boston University, USA
‘Politization has become a widely used and disputed term In International Relations (IR) and more recently in comparative politics as well. This edited volume tries to elevate the term politization onto an analytical concept by i.a. opening it up for action theoretical and organizational approaches. One of the great achievements of the editor is to bring conceptual order into a dispersed debate across political science and its subdisciplines. Moreover, the contributions show how to apply the concept(s) of politization on such different subjects such as democratization, de-democratization, transitions, denationalization or the emergence of populism and Euroscepticism. This is a muchawaited book which can become a conceptual point of reference for better understanding the evolution of national and international regimes.’
—Wolfgang Merkel, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
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Table of Contents
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Frontmatter
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Chapter 1. Introduction: Rethinking Politicisation in Politics, Sociology and International Relations
Claudia WiesnerThe chapter delves into the multifaceted concept of politicisation, highlighting the disparity in its usage across academic disciplines. It argues for a unified theoretical and conceptual framework to understand politicisation better. Key discussions include the relation of politicisation to politics and democracy, the role of different theoretical lenses, and the need for a broader methodological toolbox. The text also explores the interplay between politicisation and neighbouring concepts like depoliticisation, juridification, and populism. By fostering a cross-disciplinary dialogue, the chapter aims to advance the academic debate on politicisation significantly.AI Generated
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AbstractThe newly emerging field of politicisation research is in lack of a thorough theoretical and conceptual foundation. Accordingly, this volume aims at a theoretical and conceptual clarification of politicisation as a general Social Sciences concept, overcoming the separation of the strands of the debate in the subfields of International Relations, European Union (EU) Studies, (International) Political Theory, Comparative Politics, Political Sociology and Legal Theory. The chapters discuss (1) theories, understandings and/or definitions of politics and the political conceptualisation of politicisation relates to; (2) the who, where and what of politicisation: dimensions, actors, issues, objects, addressees, areas, arenas and spaces; (3) the relation of politicisation to concepts such as democracy, depoliticisation, juridification, legalisation, populism, or Euroscepticism; and (4) the methodological toolbox, approaches and dimensions of empirical study. -
Conceptualising Politicisation
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Frontmatter
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Chapter 2. Politicisation, Politics and Democracy
Claudia WiesnerThe chapter delves into the conceptualisation of politicisation and its relationship to politics and democracy, emphasising an action-oriented understanding of politics. It discusses the theoretical and normative implications of politicisation and its multilevel nature, encompassing macro, meso, and micro levels. The author argues that politicisation is fundamental to democracy, but also explores its potential anti-democratic aspects and the challenges it poses to representative democracy. The chapter concludes with a typology of interrelations between politicisation and democracy and a research outlook, highlighting the need for more inclusive and democratic arenas in the EU context.AI Generated
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AbstractIn this chapter, I aim at conceptualising politicisation and its relation to two other key concepts in Political Science: politics and democracy. I discuss a number of crucial theoretical and conceptual questions related to the understanding and usage of politicisation in general, and European Union (EU) politicisation in particular, setting a special focus on the theoretical and conceptual linkages between politicisation, politics and democracy. My argument is based on the presumption that politicisation needs to be understood as a multilevel concept that covers the theoretical and normative macro level, a conceptual meso level and an operational or empirical micro level. The chapter is split into the following parts: in the first section, I outline key questions and theoretical steps that are related to conceptualising politicisation and its linkages to the concept of politics. I shall discuss two ideal-typical conceptions of politics, that is, (1) an understanding of politics as a system, field or sphere and (2) an understanding of politics as action. In the remainder of the chapter, I base my reflections on an action-oriented understanding of politics and politicisation, arguing that politics and politicisation potentially can take place anywhere and anytime. In the second section, I shall discuss the normative-theoretical question if, and to what extent, a concept of politicisation as action is compatible with representative democracy: if politicisation is action, then politicisation can be both democratic and anti-democratic action, and the ensuing question is how democracies react to this challenge. In the third section, I discuss existing and possible interrelations between politicisation and democracy in the EU. I conclude with a typology of four types of interrelations between politicisation and democracy and a research outlook. -
Chapter 3. Three Concepts of Politicisation: Republican, Deliberative, and Agonistic
Veith SelkThis chapter delves into the concept of politicisation from three distinct theoretical perspectives: republican, deliberative, and agonistic. It introduces a criterion for evaluating concepts of politicisation based on their ability to account for two empirical manifestations—social and governmental politicisation. The chapter presents ideal type constructions of politicisation derived from republican, deliberative, and agonistic political thought, and assesses their suitability in capturing these manifestations. It concludes that while republican and deliberative concepts struggle with social politicisation due to their teleological nature, an agonistic concept offers a more comprehensive understanding of politicisation in contemporary society. The chapter argues that non-teleological notions of politics and politicisation are crucial for grasping the complexities of modern political life.AI Generated
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AbstractPoliticisation has been an object of interest in political science for quite some time, but there has been little research in political theory on the subject matter as of yet. This chapter fills this gap by proceeding in three steps. First, it argues that concepts of politicisation need to take two manifestations of politicisation into account: governmental and social. Second, in engaging with republicanism, deliberation theory, and agonism, it reconstructs three concepts of politicisation implicit in these paradigms. Third, the chapter concludes by arguing that all three concepts capture the governmental form of politicisation, yet, due to their teleological notion of politics, republican and deliberative approaches are unable to conceptualise social politicisation. Thus, in order to understand politicisation properly, non-teleological notions of politicisation are needed. -
Chapter 4. Parliamentarisation as Politicisation
Kari PalonenThis chapter delves into the understanding of politics as any contingent and controversial human activity, extending this to include personal lifestyle choices. It introduces a four-fold typology of politics, where politicisation marks a phenomenon as political, and parliamentarisation is a distinct version of this process. The author explores the historical rise of parliamentarism, the procedural aspects of parliamentary government, and the politicisation of time and space within parliamentary systems. The chapter also discusses the European Parliament as a current example of parliamentary politicisation, highlighting the importance of parliamentary procedures and practices in shaping political discourse and control. Throughout, the text emphasizes the historical and procedural nuances of parliamentarisation, offering a rich framework for understanding the complexities of political systems.AI Generated
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AbstractUnderstanding politics as a contingent and controversial activity, politicisation refers to those activities that create or make visible the political quality in the phenomena in question. Parliamentarisation is a distinct strategy of politicisation. In this chapter, parliament refers to a certain procedural and institutional ideal type of acting politically. The parliamentary way of politicising acting and thinking forms a Gedankenbild, a mental image. It is an ideal type that one-sidedly accentuates and intensifies the political way of thinking. The parliamentary way of proceeding politically transcends the given polity: ‘parliament’ is not primarily a parliament ‘of’ a unit, such as the nation state, but concerns any polity level, from city councils to the worldwide institutions. The chapter discusses different analytically and historically relevant dimensions of parliamentary politicisation.
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Politicisation, Populism and (Post-)Democracy
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Chapter 5. Democracy, Post-democracy and What Came After
Meike Schmidt-GleimThis chapter delves into the intricate relationship between politicisation and democracy, focusing on the transformative effects of citizen protests and social movements. It argues that while these activities have traditionally been seen as democratising, recent trends indicate a more nuanced dynamic. The text explores the concept of politicisation through the lens of Rancière's work, highlighting the importance of the 'political' in maintaining a healthy democracy. It also examines how contemporary practices, such as populist protests and social media mobilisations, can sometimes undermine democratic principles by reducing the complexity of political identities. The chapter concludes by emphasising the need to revitalise the relationship between democratic institutions and the people to ensure a robust and inclusive democracy.AI Generated
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AbstractThis chapter observes that the current political situation is shaped by politicisation processes (e.g. populist protests) that, contrary to the 1970s (e.g. civil rights movements), deteriorate rather than enhance representative democracy. It thus analyses the reasons for this cleavage and argues that civil rights movements brought the political to the fore while current protest suppresses it. Bringing the political to the fore means to allow the coexistence of more than one representation of one and the same object, highlighting the incommensurability between the people’s sovereign and the actual people. It thus prevents the possibility of a fully fledged representation and allows further contesting in the future. Populist mobilisations, instead, restrict political conflict to the borderline between the people and their ‘enemies’ (immigrants, the elite etc.), politicising without democratising. -
Chapter 6. Populism and Anti-Populism in the 2017 Dutch, French, and German Elections: A Re-politicisation of Post-politics?
Seongcheol KimAbstractThis chapter draws on Laclau’s theory of populism and the political and Stavrakakis’s work on anti-populism to examine two related sets of questions: to what extent populism and anti-populism can be seen in the 2017 Dutch, French (presidential), and German election campaigns and to what extent populist discourses constitute counter-hegemonic challenges to neo-liberal crisis management politics while anti-populist discourses constitute a defence of the latter. The post-foundational discourse analysis that follows identifies (1) left-wing populist discourses (SP, La France Insoumise, Die Linke), primarily nationalist rather than populist far-right discourses in the Netherlands and France, and a combination of populism and ethno-cultural reductionism in the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germany; and (2) a widespread “thin” anti-populism in the Netherlands, minimal anti-populism in France, and a thick anti-populism of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). -
Chapter 7. Voting and Non-voting in Post-democratic Times
Dirk JörkeThe chapter delves into the decline of voter participation and the success of right-wing populist parties in European democracies, challenging the prevailing narratives that these trends are irrational or threatening to democracy. It argues that voter abstention and support for right-wing populism can be seen as rational responses to the simulative nature of contemporary democratic procedures. The author presents a compelling analysis of the post-democratic landscape, highlighting the increasing influence of supranational bodies and the marginalisation of traditional democratic institutions. The chapter also explores the political and economic motivations behind the rise of right-wing populism, offering insights into the dynamics of contemporary European politics that are both thought-provoking and relevant to ongoing debates about democracy and populism.AI Generated
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AbstractThis chapter discusses two emerging patterns of political behaviour in Western democracies, namely non-voting and voting for right-wing populist parties. Both are considered as a reaction to the post-democratic turn in general, and the changing meaning of political participation in special. Against the widespread notion that they should be considered as irrational, it is argued that at least for some parts of the citizenry both forms of political behaviour make sense. It is stated that at least for those parts of the citizenry which can be described as ‘left-authoritarian’, voting for right-wing populist parties seems to be even more rational than refusing to vote.
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(De-)Politicising Europe
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Frontmatter
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Chapter 8. (De)politicisation: Shifting Dynamics in an Emerging European Political Field and Public Sphere
Niilo Kauppi, Hans-Jörg TrenzThis chapter delves into the complex interplay of politicisation and depoliticisation within the European Union, focusing on how these processes shape the EU's political landscape. It argues that understanding EU politicisation requires examining its synergy with depoliticised governance. The authors discuss various dimensions and modalities of politicisation and depoliticisation, highlighting the importance of public visibility and the distribution of attention in political contestation. They also explore the role of cultural conventions and power dynamics in these processes. The chapter concludes by emphasising the need for a sociopolitical theory of European integration that considers the shifting dynamics between politicisation and depoliticisation as a process of institutional and societal learning. This comprehensive analysis offers valuable insights into the evolving nature of European political contestation and its implications for democratic legitimacy.AI Generated
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AbstractIn a landmark article, Hooghe and Marks (British Journal of Political Science 39 (1):1–23, 2009) called for a paradigmatic shift in European integration studies, arguing that the old permissive consensus that facilitated functional integration has been replaced by a new constraining dissensus by a politicised electorate. European Union (EU) politicisation, so the assumption, stands for a qualitative change of European integration and, as such, is primarily expressed in a form of identity politics that is mobilised against the EU. In this chapter, we wish to broaden the discussion of politicisation beyond the narrow focus on voters’ preferences and political parties’ strategies and discuss politicisation as a constitutive element of the public sphere. In political theory, research has conceptualised politicisation as action involving temporal structures and politics as forming the spatial matrix for this activity. We seek to conceptually broaden and deepen this discussion by tracing forms of contestation that develop over time, including politicisation and de-politicisation and structuring a European political space. -
Chapter 9. Dissensus, Deadlock, and Disintegration? Examining the Effects of EU Politicisation
Lisa H. AndersThe chapter delves into the consequences of EU politicisation, a phenomenon where European issues have become more salient and divisive in public and partisan debates. It explores how this shift affects the responsiveness and efficiency of European policy-making, challenging the notion that politicisation necessarily leads to decision-making paralysis. Additionally, the chapter examines the impact of politicisation on European integration, arguing that while it poses challenges, political elites can employ various strategies to mitigate its constraining effects. The chapter also discusses different conceptualisations of politicisation and the action-based approach, which emphasises the role of ordinary citizens in politicisation processes. Overall, the chapter offers a nuanced perspective on the complex interplay between politicisation, policy-making, and integration in the EU.AI Generated
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AbstractScholars agree that the European Union (EU) and its policies have become politicised and there is extensive research on the causes and patterns of this phenomenon. The effects of politicisation on supranational decision-making and European integration, in contrast, have received little systematic attention. Against this background, this chapter systemises and discusses theoretical approaches as well as recent empirical studies on the consequences of EU politicisation. It shows that several studies provide support that politicisation enhances EU decision-makers’ responsiveness. At the same time, intra- and inter-institutional bargaining processes seem to remain more or less unaffected. Also, regarding European integration, politicisation does not seem to be a hindrance. This can be attributed to the various strategies decision-makers can employ to shield decisions at the European level from the increasingly attentive and critical public. -
Chapter 10. Depoliticisation at the European Level: Delegitimisation and Circumvention of Representative Democracy in Europe’s Governance
Cécile RobertThe chapter delves into the depoliticisation processes at the European level, focusing on how technocratic modes of operation have been used to bypass representative democracy. It examines strategies such as expertise, informal negotiation, and consultation with interest groups, which have been employed to manage EU policies. The text also traces the historical origins of these depoliticisation mechanisms, linking them to the technocratic aspirations of the EU's founding fathers and the influence of neoliberal thought. The chapter argues that these strategies have contributed to a unique relationship with politics among EU actors, characterized by distrust of representative democracy and a preference for technical deliberation. It concludes by discussing the implications of these depoliticisation processes on the EU's legitimacy and the potential for alternative political projects.AI Generated
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AbstractThis chapter defends the hypothesis that depoliticisation practices in the European Union (EU) stem from the EU’s institutions and actors’ relationship, both singular and long-standing, with “the political” and representative democracy. To do so, this chapter starts by highlighting the omnipresence of the logics of depoliticisation and listing its main methods—expertise, informal negotiation, permanent consultation of interest groups—in making European policies. Trying then to identify what feeds these depoliticisation initiatives, it underlines a relationship of distrust regarding the mechanisms of representative democracy, which is linked to the genesis and institutionalisation of the European field of power and widely shared among Europe’s professionals.
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Politicisation from Global to Local
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Frontmatter
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Chapter 11. Political Authority, Expected Consequences, and the Politicisation of International Institutions
Andreas von StadenThe chapter delves into the multifaceted concept of politicisation in international institutions, highlighting the contested nature of the term in both European Union studies and international relations. It introduces the authority transfer thesis, which posits that higher authority leads to greater politicisation. However, the author argues that it is the expected consequences of institutional actions, rather than authority alone, that truly drive politicisation. The chapter provides illustrative examples, such as the UN General Assembly, G7/G8/G20 summits, and coalitions of the willing, to support this argument. It concludes by emphasizing the broader explanatory power of focusing on consequences over authority in understanding the politicisation of international institutions.AI Generated
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AbstractA prominent argument in the politicisation literature links the degree of politicisation of international institutions to the extent of their delegated political authority. I criticise the authority-politicisation thesis as theoretically myopic and falling short of adequately explaining many empirically observable instances of politicisation. Instead, I argue that politicisation is driven by the (expected) consequences of particular governance arrangements and that the perceived significance and magnitude of such consequences need not correlate with formally delegated or recognised authority. I illustrate the argument with discussions of three types of institutions—the UN General Assembly, the G7/8/20 summits, and coalitions of the willing—each of which can be factually consequential and has triggered substantial politicisation without possessing, as an institution, much recognised political authority in its own right. -
Chapter 12. In-Between Juridification and Politicisation: Zooming in on the Everyday Politics of Law
Philip ListeThe chapter delves into the complex interplay between juridification and politicisation, focusing on how these processes shape the everyday practice of international law and bureaucracies. It argues that juridification limits political contingency while politicisation reopens it, and that these processes are not sequential but simultaneous and ongoing. By drawing on critical legal theory, the author introduces a realist perspective that stresses the politics of law under conditions of uncertainty and indeterminacy. The chapter also suggests that a dialectical view on these processes adds to the emerging field of global law and society studies, offering a more nuanced understanding of the workings of politics within law.AI Generated
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AbstractWhile international studies have addressed the interplay between international authority and politicisation, the debate has been surprisingly disconnected from an elaboration of a seemingly “depoliticising” juridification. Moreover, a critique of juridification as it has traditionally been articulated in critical theory is widely absent in international studies. Therefore, the chapter seeks to outline a critical international theory of politicisation and juridification by taking into account the dialectical relation between the two moments. By drawing on the tradition of “legal realism,” the chapter stresses the indeterminacy of law as an entry point for the political and argues that, in fact, juridification and politicisation work simultaneously in the everyday practice of international law and bureaucracies. -
Chapter 13. Conclusion: Rethinking Politicisation: What Have We Learned?
Claudia WiesnerThis chapter offers a conclusive summary of a book dedicated to the concept of politicisation. It highlights the importance of a multi-level understanding of politicisation, encompassing theoretical, meso, and micro levels. The authors emphasise the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to grasp the complex dynamics of politicisation. They also underscore the significance of the European Union as a critical site for studying politicisation and its interplay with democracy, depoliticisation, and populism. The chapter emphasises the potential of innovative methodological approaches, such as the linguistic and practice turns, to advance future research in politicisation studies.AI Generated
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AbstractThe conclusion sums up five lessons for the future research on politicisation that are derived from the discussion in the chapters: first, politics, the political, and politicisation need to be systematically theorised before beginning empirical research; second, conceptualisations of politicisation should be precise, reflected and theory-based in setting up research dimensions, methods, and techniques; third, researchers should cross the boundaries of epistemic communities and their standard truths in conceptualising and studying politicisation; fourth, they should explore and cultivate the garden of neighbouring concepts such as democracy, depoliticisation, juridification, legalisation, populism, or Euroscepticism; and fifth, they should use the full methodological toolbox, ranging from qualitative over mixed methods to quantitative approaches.
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Backmatter
- Title
- Rethinking Politicisation in Politics, Sociology and International Relations
- Editor
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Prof. Dr. Claudia Wiesner
- Copyright Year
- 2021
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing
- Electronic ISBN
- 978-3-030-54545-1
- Print ISBN
- 978-3-030-54544-4
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54545-1
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