Rethinking the Concept of Politicisation

Abstract

The concept of politicisation is increasingly used and discussed in current theoretical and empirical research on democracy more generally and the European Union more particularly— be it in critical ways or in more positive interpretations. But what exactly is meant in the different usages of politicisation? How is politicisation in each case theorized, conceptualized and operationalized? And what are the chances and what are the limitations that are linked to the different respective definitions and understandings of politicisation? The panel presents different approaches and strands in the debate on politicisation and discusses their linkages to the larger academic debate in the different subfields.