Introducing discourse analysis in EU politics

Abstract

This chapter approaches discourse analysis as a distinct perspective for political analysis, focussing specifically on discourse analysis within the study of European Union politics. This chapter outlines the key characteristics and research themes of discourse analysis and shows how discourse analysis over the past two decades has transformed from a marginal and scattered research endeavour towards a vibrant set of approaches to understanding EU politics. This chapter highlights five discursive analytical approaches to the study of EU politics: the governance school, the Copenhagen school, Critical Discourse Analysis, frame analysis, and the approach adopted by this book: the discursive institutionalism. The chapter concludes by presenting the aim of the book and its approach to discourse analysis.