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TTIP - A shot in the arm for trade or a shot in the heart of democracy

Ingvarsson, Olle LU (2016) STVK02 20152
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This thesis examines how the European Commission depoliticises TTIP, the free trade
agreement currently negotiated by EU and the US government and what the
consequences are. Taking on a discourse theoretical perspective on power, inspired by
Chantal Mouffe and Ernesto Laclau, where language plays a central part, this thesis
regards depoliticisation as a discursive phenomenon. As language according to the
discourse theory constitutes the reality it determines the viable political alternatives. A
discourse analytical approach, focused on the written language, is used to analyse the
European commission’s speeches regarding TTIP.
The thesis concludes that the main consequence of the discursive depoliticisation
is that TTIP appears to... (More)
This thesis examines how the European Commission depoliticises TTIP, the free trade
agreement currently negotiated by EU and the US government and what the
consequences are. Taking on a discourse theoretical perspective on power, inspired by
Chantal Mouffe and Ernesto Laclau, where language plays a central part, this thesis
regards depoliticisation as a discursive phenomenon. As language according to the
discourse theory constitutes the reality it determines the viable political alternatives. A
discourse analytical approach, focused on the written language, is used to analyse the
European commission’s speeches regarding TTIP.
The thesis concludes that the main consequence of the discursive depoliticisation
is that TTIP appears to be the only rational policy option to deal with the challenges of
globalisation. The discursive depoliticisation of TTIP takes place in three different ways:
Firstly, by portraying TTIP as the only possible option to maintain employment and
wealth in the European countries; Secondly, by reducing TTIP to a question of technical
matters and thereby erasing the political character and legitimising a technocratic way of
governing; Lastly, by framing the criticism against TTIP as simply myths and fiction,
thereby effectively delegitimising the opponents’ arguments. All that remain is one
perspective and one policy option, assumed to be for the benefit of all.
The main consequences of the discursive depoliticisation are firstly and most
obvious that TTIP appears to be the only rational option to deal with the challenges of the
globalisation. The second, least obvious but certainly the most important consequence of
the depoliticisation concerns the negative effects on the pluralistic democratic debate and
the democratic system as a whole. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Ingvarsson, Olle LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
En diskursanalys av EU-kommissionens kommunikation av frihandelsavtalet mellan EU och USA
course
STVK02 20152
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Avpolitisering, diskursanalys, Europeiska kommissionen, TTIP, postpolitik, Chantal Mouffe
language
Swedish
id
8514497
date added to LUP
2016-02-02 14:05:50
date last changed
2016-02-02 14:05:50
@misc{8514497,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines how the European Commission depoliticises TTIP, the free trade
agreement currently negotiated by EU and the US government and what the
consequences are. Taking on a discourse theoretical perspective on power, inspired by
Chantal Mouffe and Ernesto Laclau, where language plays a central part, this thesis
regards depoliticisation as a discursive phenomenon. As language according to the
discourse theory constitutes the reality it determines the viable political alternatives. A
discourse analytical approach, focused on the written language, is used to analyse the
European commission’s speeches regarding TTIP.
The thesis concludes that the main consequence of the discursive depoliticisation
is that TTIP appears to be the only rational policy option to deal with the challenges of
globalisation. The discursive depoliticisation of TTIP takes place in three different ways:
Firstly, by portraying TTIP as the only possible option to maintain employment and
wealth in the European countries; Secondly, by reducing TTIP to a question of technical
matters and thereby erasing the political character and legitimising a technocratic way of
governing; Lastly, by framing the criticism against TTIP as simply myths and fiction,
thereby effectively delegitimising the opponents’ arguments. All that remain is one
perspective and one policy option, assumed to be for the benefit of all.
The main consequences of the discursive depoliticisation are firstly and most
obvious that TTIP appears to be the only rational option to deal with the challenges of the
globalisation. The second, least obvious but certainly the most important consequence of
the depoliticisation concerns the negative effects on the pluralistic democratic debate and
the democratic system as a whole.}},
  author       = {{Ingvarsson, Olle}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{TTIP - A shot in the arm for trade or a shot in the heart of democracy}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}