‘Another Europe is possible’ and the end of

Euroscepticism. Addressing the fine-line between opposing Europe and offering a

‘Euroalternative’

John FitzGibbon

John.fitzgibbon@canterbury.ac.uk

Outline

• A Crisis of Euroscepticism

• A Theory of ‘Euroalternativism’

• Euroalternativism: An Approach

• Eurocrisis

• French Constitutional Treaty Referendum

• Irish Fiscal Compact Treaty Referendum

• Conclusions

2

A Crisis of Euroscepticism

• Familiarity of the concept – Hard/Soft, GAL-TAN; Sussex v. Carolina (Mudde 2010)

• Formed in pre-Crisis Europe – No space for pro-system opposition – All criticism is Euroscepticism

• Eurocrisis has created political space for pro-System

opposition to EU – Pro-EU actors strongly criticising EU policy, are they

Eurosceptic?

• Re-evaluation of Euroscepticism necessary

3

A Theory of ‘Euroalternativism’

• From Dahl’s classification of Political Opposition

1. Classic Opposition – Opposition on Policy

2. Opposition on Principle – Against the system

3. Elimination of Opposition– Against fundamental actors/principles

• Mair (2007) Focus on Classic Opposition, policy competition

4

Suggested Position of Euroalternativism Relative to Euroscepticism and Support for Current form of European Integration

5

European Integration

Opposition to current form of Euro. Int.

Euroalternativism Euroscepticism

North Carolina School

Sussex School

Support for current form of Euro. Int.

Euroalternativism: An Approach • Support/Rejection for the basic principles of Euro. Int. –

(ever-closer cooperation between the countries of Europe through a supranational structure of governance)

• Support/Rejection for the existing institutional structure of the EU.

• Existence/non-existence of alternative policies for European integration within the existing EU institutional structure.

• Seek withdrawal from the EU.

6

Breakdown of Euroalternativism by Actor, Alternative Policy advocated and Arena in which policy was put forward

Actor Alternative Policy Arena

Irish President Social Policy Speech to European Parliament

Spanish Prime Minister Eurobonds Speech to European Parliament

Jurgen Habermas et al Direct Election of European Commission

President/Deeper European Integration

Opinion editorial in Frankfurter Allgemeine

Zeitung, Guardian

Greek Prime Minister EU wide fiscal stimulus Pre-European Council press conference

George Soros German withdrawal from the Euro

Opinion editorial in major international

newspapers: New York Review of Books,

Guardian, Financial Times

IMF/Christine Lagarde Implementation of Exceptional Financial

Assistance Programme Policy Paper

European Parliament Tax on Bankers Bonuses Vote in European Parliament

French and German Finance Ministers Directly elected president of Eurogroup Joint Press Briefing

7

Eurocrisis

• Open and strong criticism of European Policy by key pro-European actors

• No specific European political space

• Necessity of dealing with Eurocrisis

• Ideological clash of fiscal rectitude v. Keynesianist expansion

8

French Constitutional Treaty Referendum

• Seen as Eurosceptic outcome

• Looking at actors reveals presence of Euroalternativism

• Does not discount genuine Euroscepticism, political strategic opposition

9

French No Campaigners

Support Euro. Int. Y/N Support Existing

Institutions Y/N

Offered Alternative

Policies

Advocated EU

withdrawal

Socialist Party Faction

‘Social Republic’ Y Y Y N

Socialist Party Faction

‘New World’ Y Y Y N

Socialist Party Faction

‘New Socialist Party’ Y Y Y N

Workers’ Struggle N N Y N

Parti Communiste N N Y N

‘New Gaulists’ Y Y Y N

Front National N N Y Y

MPF – Philippe De

Villiers N N Y N

CPNT N N Y N 10

Irish Fiscal Compact Referendum

• No campaigners ‘forced’ to provide alternatives

– Policies to fund budget deficit, promote growth,

– Renegotiate Treaty, Eurobonds to fund Keynesianist pan-European growth Treat

– ‘De-Nationalize’ bank debt

• Not one of main opponents advocated withdrawal from EU/Euro

11

Irish No Campaigners

Support Euro. Int. Y/N Support Existing

Institutions Y/N

Offered Alternative

Policies

Advocated EU

withdrawal

Libertas Y Y Y N

Sinn Féin Y N Y N

ULA N N Y N

Anti-House Hold

Charges N N N N

Another Europe is

Possible Y N Y N

Farmers Say No N N N N

TEEU (trade union) Y Y Y N

12

Conclusions

• Not replacing Euroscepticism • Not arguing recent criticism is not Eurosceptic • Highlighting potential emergence of political

competition at the EU level • Pro-system Opposition

– Support goals of integration – Support institutional structure – Offer policy alternatives – Support membership

• Immediacy and extent of Eurocrisis has created a European level political arena

13

Thank you.