Post on 12-Apr-2017
EU-UKRAINE ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
REFERENDUM: THREE DILEMMA’S
www.chrisaalberts.nl
Three dilemma’s
1. Public knowledge on the EU
2. Neutral EU-reporting
3. Financial incentives
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DILEMMA 1:
PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ON THE EU
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If the European Parliament becomes more powerful, this will make the national parliament less powerful.
Do you think that the European parliament
should become more powerful?
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Willem Saris: Public opinion on the EU can easily be swayed in different directions. Acta Politica 1997.
Do not know24.5%
Yes, more power33.3%No, not more power42.2%
www.chrisaalberts.nl
Many problems are international. For example, 50% of the acid rain
in the Netherlands comes from abroad.
These problems can only be solved by international policies.
If the European Parliament becomes more powerful, this will make the
national parliament less powerful.
Do you think that the European parliament should
become more powerful?
www.chrisaalberts.nl
Do not know23.8%
Yes, more power53.5%No, not more power22.7%
www.chrisaalberts.nl
Do not know 23.8% (24.5%)Yes, more power 53.5% (33.3%)No, not more power 22.7% (42.2%)
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A few years ago: knowledge about the EU
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From the Eurobarometer studies.
DILEMMA 2:
NEUTRAL EU-REPORTING
www.chrisaalberts.nl
Is 9/11 the work of
Al Qaida?
Does HIV lead to AIDS?
Does forced abortion existIn Holland?
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Citizens talk withthe like-minded
Citizens are not prepared to talk to people with a
different opinion
Citizens are able to select their own information diet
Citizens start living in echo chambers where they hear the same information over
and over again
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Liesbet van Zoonen:Changing truth claimsin popular and political culture. European Journalof Communication 2012.
Epistemology:Experts and
science as sources of true
knowledge
I-pistemology:Personal
experience as source of true
knowledge
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www.chrisaalberts.nl
www.chrisaalberts.nl
DILEMMA 3:
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
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The Dutch government spends 2.000.000 euros on campaigns of citizens and
organisations
DOES IT HELP?
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www.chrisaalberts.nl
www.chrisaalberts.nl
www.chrisaalberts.nl