European integration without Europeanization: Assets and limits of economism as a pragmatic frame of European politics

This article draws a distinction between European integration of diplomacy and law and Europeanization of the public sphere and public culture in European Union member states. The Dutch case of EMU membership is used to show that the frame of economism may be conducive to the formal adaptation of member states to European policies but may equally lead to avoidance of domestic discussion and struggle. The increasing political nature of the EU necessitates debate in order to safeguard sustainable support for, and political identification with, the EU. Consequently, next to economic frames, ethical and constitutional ones will be necessary to stop increasing euroscepticism.