Deliberative democrats claim that political deliberation among citizens increases the legitimacy of and support for democratic decision-making. The question is, however, whether deliberative democracy can realize its added value in the real world of politics where political discussion is characterized by persisting inequalities. This paper tries to contextualize the gender gap in political talk by taking into account the social (i.e., discussion networks) and political context (i.e., campaign effects) in which political debate takes place. Based on previous research we argue that women prefer to discuss politics in relatively like-minded, cohesive networks, while men prefer more confrontational networks. Moreover, we expect the gender gap to depend on the electoral context, in that the gender gap disappears in later campaign phases. These two arguments were tested and confirmed using data gathered in the Partirep Regional Election Survey in 2009. |
Res Publica
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Article |
Waar en wanneer spreken mannen en vrouwen over politiek?De sekseverschillen in politieke discussie in hun sociale en politieke context |
Trefwoorden | deliberative democracy, political talk, gender differences, Belgium |
Auteurs | Didier Caluwaerts |
SamenvattingAuteursinformatie |
Introduction |
Subsidiariteit in de EU en verder |
Trefwoorden | European Union, subsidiarity, multilevel governance, complexity, power |
Auteurs | Ferdi De Ville en Jan Loisen |
SamenvattingAuteursinformatie |
This introductory article sketches the problématique of this special issue on ‘Subsidiarity in the European Union and beyond’. It starts with a short historical overview of the origins, meanings and implementation of the subsidiarity principle within the EU. Subsequently, it problematizes the concept and application of subsidiarity in a multilevel governance context by examining two fundamental characteristics of this essentially contested concept that render it fascinating to study: its complexity and power-relevance. The relatively new concept of global subsidiarity is briefly discussed to situate the intra-EU discussion in a wider context. This introduction ends by discussing some of the findings of the special issue’s two substantial articles – that both deal with policy topics in which different competence regimes meet – in light of the subsidiarity problématique. |
Article |
Strijden voor of om de publieke omroep?Hoe subsidiariteit de Europese Commissie en de lidstaten verdeelt in het staatssteunbeleid |
Trefwoorden | state aid, public service broadcasting, cultural objectives, media policy |
Auteurs | Karen Donders |
SamenvattingAuteursinformatie |
Since the early 1990s, the European Commission applies the State aid rules (part of European competition law) to the funding of national and subnational public broadcasters. This article analyzes to what extent discussions on the regulation and funding of public service broadcasting are determined by a conflictual notion of subsidiarity. Focusing on encounters between the European Commission on the one hand and Germany, the Netherlands and Flanders on the other hand, the article concludes that Member States and the European Commission focus more on competence divisions than on substantive discussions about the future of public service broadcasting. This is particularly regrettable as the digital age requires a thorough re-thinking of the role of public broadcasters in Western European democracies. |
Article |
De impact van multi-level governance op de democratische input in het EU-handelsbeleid onder het Verdrag van Lissabon |
Trefwoorden | multi-level governance, subsidiarity, EU trade policy, legitimacy, participation |
Auteurs | Fabienne Bossuyt |
SamenvattingAuteursinformatie |
This article examines the impact of multi-level governance (MLG) on the democratic input into European Union (EU) trade policy under the Lisbon Treaty. Focusing on two recently concluded EU trade agreements, i.e. the multi-party agreement with Colombia and Peru and the association agreement with Central America, the article traces several dangers and risks that MLG entails for democratic accountability and participation, which are closely tied to the strong output-oriented nature of MLG and its emphasis on technical effi ciency. These dangers of MLG – the article argues – are not accidental, but are fi rmly rooted within an underlying hegemonic social-economic trend, characterised by an intentional (neo-liberal dominated) attempt to de-politise, and even de-democratise, European political policy-making. |
Essay |
Radicale subsidiariteit |
Auteurs | Hugo Durieux |
Auteursinformatie |
Symposium |
Internationale politieke economie in de Lage Landen: afwezig in tijden van crisis? |
Auteurs | Angela Wigger, Bastiaan van Apeldoorn en Stijn Oosterlynck |
Auteursinformatie |
Research Note |
Tegen het establishment of onderdeel van het establishment?Anti-politieke-establishmentpartijen en de prijs van meeregeren in gevestigde democratieën |
Auteurs | Joost van Spanje |
Auteursinformatie |
Research Note |
De eliminatie van kernwapens: de rol van raketafweersystemen |
Auteurs | Tom Sauer |
Auteursinformatie |
Research Note |
Gendermainstreaming in ontwikkelingshulp van de Europese Unie: conservatieve Europeesheid? |
Auteurs | Petra Debusscher |
Auteursinformatie |