Springer The Euro Crisis and European Identities: Political and Media Discourse in Germany, Ireland and Poland (New Perspectives in German Political Studies)

This book builds upon our knowledge of the far-reaching economic, political and social effects of the Euro crisis on the European Union by providing a unique study of European identities. In particular, it considers the impact on the construction of European identities in political and media discourse in Germany, Ireland and Poland―three countries with profoundly different experiences of the crisis and never before compared in a single study. Offering an original insight into the dynamics of identity change at moments of upheaval, the author argues that political and media actors in the early stages of the crisis drew on long-standing identities in order to make sense of the crisis in the public sphere. European identity discourses are thus resilient to change but become central to legitimising and contesting bailouts and further economic integration. As such, the author challenges the commonly held view that identities change dramatically at times of crisis but argues that this very resilience helps to understand the EU’s current divisions. The study of identity during the Euro crisis sheds important light on the prospects for European solidarity as well as on the future of the single currency as an identity-building project. The book will be of particular interest to students and scholars in the fields of EU politics, comparative European politics, and identity politics. Review “This timely book investigates the extent to which the Euro crisis has affected collective identities in Europe. Through a detailed investigation of elite discourses in Ireland, Germany, and Poland, the author demonstrates that the various debates about the crisis reflect rather than change existing identity constructions. A very well written book with carefully crafted and meticulously executed case studies which successfully challenge the conventional wisdom about European and national identities!”  (Professor Thomas Risse, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany) “Charlotte Galpin’s book offers a fascinating, critical insight into European identity. She explores in impressive detail the way in which the Euro crisis has presented multiple new challenges to the construction of a European identity and takes us on a fascinating journey through various national discourses of “European-ness”. This book offers a fresh take on how Europeans define their shared identity in times of crisis and as such, makes for a timely and important read. It is a real must for students of European integration and analysts of the impact of the Euro crisis alike!” (Dr Carolyn Rowe, Aston University, UK) From the Back Cover This book builds upon our knowledge of the far-reaching economic, political and social effects of the Euro crisis on the European Union by providing a unique study of European identities. In particular, it considers the impact on the construction of European identities in political and media discourse in Germany, Ireland and Poland―three countries with profoundly different experiences of the crisis and never before compared in a single study. Offering an original insight into the dynamics of identity change at moments of upheaval, the author argues that political and media actors in the early stages of the crisis drew on long-standing identities in order to make sense of the crisis in the public sphere. European identity discourses are thus resilient to change but become central to legitimising and contesting bailouts and further economic integration. As such, the author challenges the commonly held view that identities change dramatically at times of crisis but argues that this very resilience helps to understand the EU’s current divisions. The study of identity during the Euro crisis sheds important light on the prospects for European solidarity as well as on the future of the single currency as an identity-building project. The book will be of particular interest to students and scholars in the fields of EU po