The EU as a Normative SymbolPerceptions of Political and Media Elites in Spain

  1. Sonia Boulos 1
  2. Juan Racionero-García 1
  1. 1 Universidad Nebrija
    info

    Universidad Nebrija

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/03tzyrt94

Journal:
Profesional de la información

ISSN: 1386-6710,  1699-2407

Year of publication: 2024

Volume: 33

Issue: 5

Type: Article

DOI: 10.3145/EPI.2024.0516 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: Profesional de la información

Abstract

Democratization occupied a significant weight in Spain’s accession to the European Economic Community. Accession was viewed as a remedy to Spain’s isolation, ‘backwardness’ and questionable ‘Europeanness’. In this process, proEuropean political and media elites and civil society in Spain constructed the EU as a symbol of modernity and democracy. This article examines how media and political elites in Spain conceptualize the role of the EU as symbol and a normative actor, distinguished by its commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, after almost four decades of accession. By integrating Q methodology with in-depth interviews, we attempt to study the subjective perceptions of elites regarding the role of the EU as a normative actor and whether this role is constructed through identitarian or pragmatic factors.

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