Constrained and Open Politicization: The Role of Eurosceptic Domestic Actors in Politicizing Integration in Crises

Why do some crises lead to deeper integration of the EU, while others do not? Recent scholarship on European integration and crisis has developed and synthesized grand theories to show that politicization by Eurosceptic and populist actors acts as a meaningful constraint in certain ‘types’ of crisis (i.e., Postfunctionalist) but is less consequential in others. We argue this relatively circumscribed role for politicization is in part due to a relatively narrow focus on whether an EU crisis culminates in more, or less, integration. Building on literature that emphasises the variety of strategies, forms, and agency of Eurosceptic actors during EU crises, we ask instead: Why was a particular resolution to the crisis chosen over a range of other possible solutions? Focusing on Brexit, the euro, migration, and COVID crises, we show how Eurosceptic and other actors adopt a diverse range of frames when contesting the EU during each crisis. In turn, these same actors adopt strategies in the context of a variety of domestic political opportunity structures across member states. We conclude that what results are relatively open or relatively constrained patterns of politicization that influence member state governments to pursue one integration outcome over a range of alternatives.