Euroscepticism as a transnational and pan-European phenomenon. The emergence of a new sphere of opposition

As the EU enters an increasingly uncertain phase after the 2016 Brexit referendum, Euroscepticism continues to become an increasingly embedded phenomenon within party systems, non-party groups and within the media. Yet, academic literature has paid little attention to the emergence of, and increased development of, transnational and pan-European networks of EU opposition.

As the 'gap' between Europe's mainstream political elites and an increasingly sceptical public has widened, pan-European spheres of opposition towards the EU have developed and evolved.

The volume sets out to explain how such an innately contradictory phenomenon as transnational Euroscepticism has emerged. It draws on a variety of perspectives and case studies in a number of spheres - the European Parliament, political parties, the media, civil society and public opinion. Examining to what extent the pan-European dimension of Euroscepticism is becoming increasingly influential, it argues that opposition to European integration has for too long been viewed somewhat narrowly, through the paradigm of national party politics.

This text will be of interest to scholars, students and professionals in EU politics, European studies, political parties, and more broadly to comparative politics and international relations.

Contents

1. Introduction - John Fitzgibbon, Benjamin Leruth and Nicholas Startin
2. Modelling transnational and pan-European Euroscepticism - Simon Usherwood
3. To cooperate or not to cooperate? The European Radical Right and pan-European cooperation - Nicholas Startin and Nathalie Brack
4. Is 'Eurorealism' the new 'Euroscepticism'? Modern conservatism, the European Conservatives and Reformists and European integration - Benjamin Leruth
5. Contesting integration: the Radical Left and Euroscepticism - Michael Holmes
6. Transnational mobilisation and critical Europeanism - Sevasti Chatzopoulou and Angela Bourne
7. 'Stop TTIP': towards a transnational Eurosceptic opposing the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership? - Dan Keith
8. Transnational Euroscepticism as ideational solidarity? The 'No' campaign in the Irish referendums on the Lisbon Treaty - John Fitzgibbon
9. Eurosceptic candidate MEPs in the news: a transnational perspective - Katjana Gattermann and Sofia Vasilopoulou
10. Religion and the European Union: a commitment under stress - Simona Guerra
11. Conclusion - John Fitzgibbon and Benjamin Leruth
Epilogue: Transnational and pan-Euroscepticism after Brexit - Benjamin Leruth and John Fitzgibbon