Explaining the Domesticisation Deficit

Abstract

The twin deficit of domesticisation (lack of identity) and politicisation (lack of agonistic conflict) substitutes in my approach the concept of “communications deficit”. Rather than considering Eurosceptic media and uncooperative national politicians as the source of the lack of popular political engagement with European politics, I move the target away from the senders and mediators (politicians and journalists) and put the focus on the cultural and systemic constraints of the EU: the absence of a European demos and the curious mixture of neocorporatism, functionalism and diplomatic rule that inspires the government of the pseudoconfederation that the EU is today.