The European Union’s Institutionalisation of Symbols and Myths: paper presenting to the Third Midterm Conference of the European Political Sociology Research Network (RN32) of ESA (European Sociological Association), Copenhagen

TY - CONF

T1 - The European Union’s Institutionalisation of Symbols and Myths

T2 - paper presenting to the Third Midterm Conference of the European Political Sociology Research Network (RN32) of ESA (European Sociological Association), Copenhagen

AU - Manners, Ian James

N1 - Ian Manners is Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

PY - 2014/11/28

Y1 - 2014/11/28

N2 - “The paper examines the formal institutionalisation of symbols and myths by EU institutions such as the Commission, Parliament and Council. It asks the question: What roles does the EU institutionalisation of symbols and myths play in the processes of European integration? The paper argues that in the wake of the recent crises of European integration, the EU institutions are weaving together different myths into a new narrative as symbolised by the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth launched in 2010. The strategy plays on the myth of economic Europe through reference to smart growth with more effective investments in education, research and innovation. But at the same time the strategy also mobilises around the myth of green Europe with an emphasis on sustainable growth with targets for a resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy. Thirdly the strategy refers to the myth of social Europe by accenting inclusive growth by creating jobs, fighting poverty and social exclusion. Finally the strategy is clearly located within the myth of global Europe through references to the intensification of global challenges such as emerging competition, global financial risk, and climate and resource concerns.”

AB - “The paper examines the formal institutionalisation of symbols and myths by EU institutions such as the Commission, Parliament and Council. It asks the question: What roles does the EU institutionalisation of symbols and myths play in the processes of European integration? The paper argues that in the wake of the recent crises of European integration, the EU institutions are weaving together different myths into a new narrative as symbolised by the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth launched in 2010. The strategy plays on the myth of economic Europe through reference to smart growth with more effective investments in education, research and innovation. But at the same time the strategy also mobilises around the myth of green Europe with an emphasis on sustainable growth with targets for a resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy. Thirdly the strategy refers to the myth of social Europe by accenting inclusive growth by creating jobs, fighting poverty and social exclusion. Finally the strategy is clearly located within the myth of global Europe through references to the intensification of global challenges such as emerging competition, global financial risk, and climate and resource concerns.”

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - Symbols

KW - Myths

KW - European Union

M3 - Paper

ER -