Contested Solidarity in the Eurozone Crisis. Comparing the German and Irish Discourse from 2010-2015

Solidarity was the buzzword in the public debate on the Eurozone crisis. While politicians, journalists as well as interest groups publicly declare solidarity, political actions in the EU are ambivalent. Germany was seen as the European hegemonic power who only focuses on austerity and debt reduction. The ‘Troika’ acted technocratic and beyond democratic legitimacy. However, many protest movements and trade unions in EU member states fought about a more social and democratic Europe. Interestingly, the claim for solidarity was emphasized in both perspectives: either to fight for a more democratic and social EU or to underline the necessary stability of the Euro and tighter monetary policies. If we understand politics as a struggle between various interpretations of political problems and their solutions, the claim for solidarity and its meanings should be further explored. My research questions are therefore: Which meanings of solidarity and justifications do actors use in public debates on the 'Eurozone crisis' in Germany and Ireland in times of crisis? What kind of political conflicts arise and change in the public over time? Which differences and similarities can be observed in both cases? The following empirical analysis uses a discursive-ideational framework to show that solidarity as an idea plays a crucial role in constructing political problems and influencing political actions. Based on the new method of discourse network analysis, I present preliminary findings from media debates in Germany and Ireland between 2010 and 2015, comparing the discourse in a debtor and creditor state. I demonstrate the different notions of solidarity (political, social, economic, and monetary) in each country, the constant contestation between pro- and anti-solidarity claims and the crucial shifts during the discourse. The German discourse is far more politicized than the Irish debate even though, we see an up and down in the Irish media coverage due to the involvement in the crisis. In 2015, the Eurozone crisis and the role of solidarity is again highly politicized in both countries. Moreover, I present insights into the “structural bias” of the media arena. Government actors are making more claims then opposition parties and non-state actors. However, trade unions, EU actors and journalists increase their visibility during the crisis situation. Lastly, I discuss the results and implications for the meaning(s) of solidarity in times of crisis.