Knowing Me, Knowing You: Media Portrayal of the EU in Kazakhstan. Issue 7 (9th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bekenova, Kristina; Collins, Neil
• Is Part Of: Europe-Asia studies. Volume 71:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 1183
• Page End: 1204
• Publication Date: 2019-08-09
• Subjects: Europe, Eastern -- Periodicals; Eurasia -- Periodicals; Former Soviet republics -- Periodicals; Soviet Union -- History -- Periodicals; 940
• DOI: 10.1080/09668136.2019.1629393
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-8136

Abstract

Abstract: The dichotomy of Self/Other prevails in shaping identity. This article asks how and to what extent the elements of the EU's image produced by media discourse shape the national identity of Kazakhstan. It contends that a state's identity can be formulated not in opposition—that is, not 'Us against Them'—but rather, 'Us as One of Them'. It argues that, in the case of Kazakhstan, the predominantly positive media discourse about the EU 'Other' contributes to a positive formulation of the Self via the legitimisation of the domestic regime on the national and international levels.