Europolis and the European public sphere: Empirical explorations of a counterfactual ideal. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fishkin, James S; Luskin, Robert C; Siu, Alice
• Other Names: Isernia Pierangelo guest-editor.; Fishkin James S guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: European Union politics. Volume 15:Number 3(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 328
• Page End: 351
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: Actors and institutions -- decision-making mode -- deliberative democracy -- deliberative polling -- European Parliament -- European public sphere -- public opinion -- research and innovation -- voting; European Union countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 320.9405
• DOI: 10.1177/1465116514531507
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-1165

Abstract

Is there—or could there be—a Europe-wide public sphere? Some argue that one already exists, others that none is attainable. This debate turns on what it means to have one—on how much (and what kinds of) cross-border 'discussion' and public input it must entail. An ambitious European public sphere would involve more truly Europe-wide collective will formation and political accountability. This article attempts to move beyond speculation, with a discussion on an ambitious version of a European public sphere. Participants' opinions and vote intentions in Europolis were gauged before and after deliberating. This enables us to probe a double counterfactual: what if there was a more ambitious European public sphere, and what if European Parliamentary elections were consequently more deliberative.