CRONEM, Guildford 12.–13. June 2007

Is European Nationalism failing because of a lack of myths?A time series analysis of public communication in Europe from 1951 to 2005

Dr. David Tréfás

Europainstitut der Universität Baselfög – Forschungsbereich Öffentlichkeit und Gesellschaft der Universität Zürichin cooperation with the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for European History and Public Spheres

2

Content

Theory of political myth The project „European identity and public spheres“ We-References to Europe in public communication Main values in France, Germany and Hungary Temporal references in France, Germany and Hungary Relation of Values to Temporal References European myths in France, Germany and Hungary Conclusion

3

Theory of political myth

Any ideologically marked political story has the potential to become a myth if narrated by an appropriate teller to an appropriate audience in appropriate circumstances.

“Mythmaking is a communication process which […] will carry authority when it is communicated in an appropriate way, by an appropriate teller or set of tellers, in an appropriate historical, social, and ideological context.” (Flood 1996: 43f)

Only temporal references in combination with values are potentially mythified.

4

The project: „European identity and public spheres“:Arenatheoretical Model of Public Sphere

If communication events create resonance in different arenas of the

public sphere, then these are society-relevant and refer to constellations of conflict and crisis events

These concepts (and constructions of a shared belief) can only be collectively communicated and inter-subjectified in the public sphere >>> in modern societies only through mass-communication

5

Arenatheoretical Model of Public Sphere

Ferree, Gamson, Gerhards, Rucht (2002): Shaping abortion discourse. p. 11.

6

Point of departure

Identity or „Gemeinsamkeitsglauben“ (shared belief/Max Weber) can only be built by communication in the public sphere

So far the (principle of the) public sphere has been closely linked to the nationstate

With regards to the EU, there are- a public sphere deficit

- a democracy deficit

- an identity deficit

7

Methodological Concept and Empirical Approach

The emergence of public sphere(s) and collective identities are closely linked and are conditional on one another

>>> identity of the modern age is generated in public communication

Empirical Conclusion: Time-series analysis of conflict-induced concentration of communication Based on the analysis of perception of threat Based on a distinction of the “we” and the “others” Based on the analysis of temporal references

8

Countries and Media

9

Key Events in Public Communication

Communication on crisis-events Communication on institutional events

1950ies Suez crisis, Hungarian Uprising (56)

Sputnik shock (57)

Foundation of ECSC (51)

Foundation of EEC (57)

1960ies Berlin Wall (61)

Cuba crisis (62)

Prague Spring (68)

1970ies Kippour War (73) UK joins the EC (73)

1980ies War in the Gulf I (Iran/Iraq) (80)

Falkland War (82)

Single European Act (85)

1990ies War in the Gulf II (90/91)

War in Bosnia (94)

War in Kosovo (98)

Treaty of Maastricht (92)

European Council in Nizza (00)

2000 War in the Gulf III (03) Enlargement of the EU (04)

Crisis of Ratification of the Constitutional Treaty (05)

10

We-References to Europe in public communication

45%

50%

5%

68%

16%

16%

26%

70%

4%

41%

57%

2%

57%

36%

7%

60%

21%

19%

66%

6%

28%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Überblick Verteilung der Wir-Bezüge

Europäische Wir-Bezüge

Transnationale Wir-Bezüge

Nationale Wir-Bezüge

n=719

11

Top 5 values, arena France 2005

EU-Integration

Liberty

.Wealth

Democracy

Rule of Law

n=69

12

Top 5 values, arena Germany 2005

Social Justice

Democracy

Wealth

Progress

Peaceableness

n=68

13

Top 5 values, arena Hungary 2005

n=24

14

Top 3 temporal references 2005

France Germany Hungary

Nr. 1 1992: Maastricht (17%) 2000: Nizza (21%) Undefined Future (47%)

Nr. 2 2000: Nizza (11%) 1992: Maastricht (11%)

Undefined Past (11%)

Nr. 3 1957: Foundation EEC (10%)

1989: Fall of Iron Curtain (11%)

Communism (10%)

n=70n=19n=28

15

Relation of Values to Temporal References

France Germany Hungary

Nr. 1 EU-Integration/Nizza Democracy/Nizza Democracy/Undefined future

Nr. 2 EU-Integration/Maastricht

Democracy/Maastricht

Nr. 3 Freedom/Nizza Wealth/Nizza

16

European myth in the French arena

Myth about Europe is the myth about France. France as motor of integration in the name of human rights and

liberty. France has achieved the Treaty of Rome, Maastricht and Nizza. Europe as a fortress against British pessimism and Turkey

17

European myth in the German arena

The myth about Europe is a myth about democracy. The European elite in Brussels in fear of the people of Europe. The Maastricht Treaty has brought democracy. Parallels to the German myth about learning of democracy in the

Adenauer era.

18

European myth in the Hungarian arena

Myth of Europe is a myth about new colonialism. Europe lacks democracy and will lack democracy in the future. For the liberal media, remedy will come from the European peoples. The conservative media compare the EU to Soviet communism and

detects a hostility towards the nationstate (as an alternative in the future).

19

Conclusion

There is no pan-European myth to observe In every nationstate, myths are structured by specific national

narratives Divergent values as the centre of myths in every nationstate Convergence of temporal references in Germany and France. Is there

a potential for a pool for mythification in times of crisis?

20

Thank you for your attention!

Contact:Dr. David Tréfásfög - Forschungsbereich Öffentlichkeit und GesellschaftUniversität ZürichAndreasstrasse 158050 Zürich Tel.: +41 (0)44 635 21 22Fax.: +41 (0)44 635 21 01mail: david.trefas@foeg.unizh.chWeb.: www.foeg.unizh.ch