Political Actors’ Narratives on the Reforms of the European Union

John Erik Fossum, Guri Rosén, and Janna van Diepen have written chapters in a new book providing insights into contemporary political actors’ narratives of European integration.

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Abstract

This book provides essential insights into contemporary political actors’ narratives of European integration.

Focusing on the Future of Europe debate in parliaments, the book reveals how the question of democracy in Europe is addressed. Through the lens of differentiation, it explores the numerous nuances within narratives on the EU. Based on an extensive empirical analysis of debates from 11 national parliaments and the European Parliament over a period of seven years (2015–2021), it provides substantial understanding of the circulation of ideas on Europe within and among member states. Finally, the book offers a reflection on reforming the EU and the different constitutional narratives shaping the future of the EU.

This book is of key interest to scholars and students interested in European integration, the European Parliament, democracy and political parties.

Contributions by ARENA staff and affiliated researchers

Chapter 6: Debates on the Future of Europe in the Danish Folketing: Between Economic Membership Benefits and Political Autonomy
Janna van Diepen

Chapter 7: Sweden and the Limits of Euro-Optimism: Pragmatic Integration or Political Reluctance?
Guri Rosén, Espen D. H. Olsen, and Alexander Dannerhäll

Chapter 11: Norway as Europe’s Closest Outsider: Views of European Integration from a Non-Member
Guri Rosén and Espen D. H. Olsen

Chapter 14: Concluding Reflections
John Erik Fossum

In: Political Actors’ Narratives on the Reforms of the European Union: Future Visions of Europe?
Magdalena Góra, Elodie Thevenin, and Katarzyna Zielińska (eds.)

Routledge (2025)
ISBN: 9781032963181

Published Oct. 28, 2025 11:24 AM - Last modified Dec. 5, 2025 10:27 AM