1. The rise of Euroscepticism in Central and Eastern European Nations during recession; the case of Poland and the strategic utilization of media capabilities to influence the Polish public sphere.
by Thomas Kalantzis.
Supervisor: Prof. Christos Fragkonikolopoulos.
Oral Defense on 26 January 2018.
Faculty of Economic and Political Sciences
School of Journalism & Mass Communications

2. Theme Analysis
The rise of Euroscepticism in Central and Eastern European Nations during recession;
the case of Poland
and the strategic utilization of media capabilities to influence the Polish public sphere.

3. Agenda Literature Review Scope of the Dissertation
European Unification
European Enlargement
European Integration
The rise of Euroscepticism
The case of Poland
Euroscepticism in Poland
The media utilization
Discussion

4. Methodology Applied Methodology:
Procedural Pathway:
Review and Analysis of existing Literature
Scope of Dissertation:
To identify how “Euroscepticism” affected the political agenda of Central and Eastern European Countries while struggling to confront financial and economic crisis and to justify their observed behaviour .
Examination of
EU Integration process
Analysis of
Recession-Euroscepticism
correlation
The case study
of Poland
CEECs
Examination of
European Enlargement
The manipulation of public opinion in Poland with the use of media
Evaluation
of the results

5. The European Enlargement towards CEECs
Inter-Government Conference,
Copenhagen,1993
(12 Central-Eastern European Countries)
When:
Economics (reformation of global market)
Why:
Regional and National Politics
Supranational Politics
Budget Issues
Major Implications:
Voting Issues
“Big Step” factor

6. All approaches should be merged as one
The European Integration of CEECs
Ensure stability of democratic political regimes
Why:
Long-term economic planning
Coordinate common Foreign Affairs policy and Defence issues
Neo-functionalism
Multi-level Governance
How:
New Institutionalism
All approaches should be merged as one
Liberal Intergovernmentalism
Intergovernmentalism
Major
Implications:
Competing Identities (European-National)
Democratic values are conceptualized differently per member state
European citizens, currently, not feel being part of the “team” and being left behind

7. Systemic Crisis characterized of complexity
Rise of Euroscepticism in CEECs
The “Great Recession”
Global Economic Crisis (The Great Recession)
Systemic Crisis characterized of complexity
Most affected Countries Worldwide (GDP progress %):

8. Change in total exports between Q3 2008 and Q3 2009 (%).
Rise of Euroscepticism in CEECs
The “Great Recession”
Financial deficit
High financing needs
Increase of debt
Vulnerable negotiating position
Consequences:
Change in total exports between Q and Q (%).
Nation
Total Exports
Bulgaria
-6.7
Estonia
-9.6
Latvia
-14.7
Lithuania
-16.5
Czech Republic
-7.7
Hungary
-6.9
Poland
-9.0
Romania
-3.7

9. Introduction of stabilizing measures
Rise of Euroscepticism in CEECs
The “Great Recession”
Trade and Development Conference (Berlin,2010)
Causes of Recession stem from:
Global financial imbalances
The globalization of financial markets
“Finance-led capitalism” mindset
Rebalancing the Economy
Reconsideration of the Globalization Model
Decisive Points:
Europeanization
During Trade and Development Conference in Berlin in 2010, chaired by the United Nations, was stated that the main causes of recession are connected to
the global financial imbalances,
the globalization of financial markets and
“finance-led capitalism” mind-set of people
As decisive points in confronting the crisis where identified the rebalancing of the global economy and reconsideration of the model of Globalization, which, in our case, can be translated in lower scale as reconsideration of “Europeanization”
In practical terms the first approach to solve the problem was made by introducing stabilizing measures as financial stimuli. More specifically the European Monetary fund made its appearance and EU as an institute started interfering within nations domestic policies, looking forward to financial supporting programs, which were followed by strict fiscal measures.
However these actions had their impact on the sovereignty of the member states and were perceived as foreign interference.
Introduction of stabilizing measures
as financial stimuli:
European Monetary Fund
EU act as supervisor
Strict Fiscal Measures
Impact on Sovereignty

10. Attitude towards the European concept(%)
Rise of Euroscepticism in CEECs
Attitude towards the European concept(%)
Sentiment of Negativity
Skeptic Attitude
Euroscepticism
National Identity
The image of “Punitive Europe”
Lack of unified democratic standards
Falling short to their expectations
Main Causes of
Euroscepticism:
Nationalist Type
Euro-critic Type
Populist Type
Types of
Euroscepticism:
Hard
Soft

11. Rise of Euroscepticism in CEECs
Euroscepticism has become a solid ideology.
Positive View towards EU.

12. The Collision of Euroscepticism and Europeanization in CEECs.
CEECs Political Field Overview
The Collision of Euroscepticism and Europeanization in CEECs.
Liberalism
The three party-based dimensions of Euroscepticism:
Traditionalism
Left-Populism

13. Benefits from EU Budget. (most high ranking nations)
Case Study: Poland
Elections of October 2015:
Civic Platform
Polish People’s Party
Law and Justice (PiS)
Euroscepticism
Traditionalism
Nationalism
Pro EU
Liberal-Democratic
Why a unique case:
One of the most Europhile nations (Public Opinion)
Managed to gain a leading role in Eastern European Economy
One of the high ranking nations benefitted of EU budget
Neutral or Positive Opinion for EU (%).
Benefits from EU Budget. (most high ranking nations)
Presents Sovereignty as “hot topic”
Adopts soft Euroscepticism
Polish Government:
Polish PM Beata Szyzlo:
Demanded, the flag of European Union, to be removed from the press conference podium.

14. Case Study: Poland Why Euroscepticism:
Avoidance of completing integration requirements as promulgated while taking advantage of capital inflows (e.g. Agriculture and Rural Development, CAP)
Due to the incompetence of EU elites to confront political challenges
Gain leading role among CEECs and Eastern Europe
Promote National Interests
Intervention of Polish Catholic Church in political life
Remain active member of Common Security and Defense Policy
Flagship of Eastern Partnership (EaP)
Degrade European Enlargement and Promote EaP and Visegràd Group
Enter the Monetary Union (common currency) under conditions
EU’s Energy and Climate Policy (largest coal producer). Dependent to Russia.
Polish
Foreign Affairs
Strategy:

15. Europeanization Repolonization
Case Study: Poland
The Utilization of Mass media
Susceptibility of audiences to media exposure
Persuasion and manipulation of masses
Biased form of Communication
“Propaganda”
PiS managed to transform the strong will of public opinion:
Europeanization Repolonization
“Repolonization starts from the media sector, in order to remove harmful foreign influence“
Jarosław Kaczyński (PiS ex-leader and current MP)
How:
By employing “selective media exposure” or “congeniality bias”
Process attitudes, beliefs and perceptions
“Cognitive Equilibrium”

16. Discussion: Future Implications Political crisis rooted in:
Euroscepticism
Unknown pathogenic deficiencies of EU
The collision of European Integration process with National Identity
EU researchers expect Euroscepticism, in CEECs , to grow during the next decade.
Future issues identified:
EU will have to clarify the level and the type of interrelations among its member nations
Deter the hegemonic tendency of Brussels
EU will be challenged to shape a new concept of Europe,
differentiated of the one visualized during the early 1990s.

17. Discussion: Recommendations
Uniqueness of each member nation should be considered further.
Introduction of “Nested Identity”.
European identity should not delete the National one.
Efforts on Democratization process should be intensified and common.

18. Thank you for your attention.
Questions
Thank you for your attention.