The Cognitive Dimension of Social Movements' Europeanization Processes. The Case of the Protests against ‘Fortress Europe’

Abstract

This paper examines the Europeanization of social movements through frame analysis. Focusing on the case of the French and German pro-asylum movements, it shows how they build new collective identities and increasingly recognize the role of EU institutions and policies. This analysis shows first of all that social movements' organizations coming from different national contexts Europeanize their frames to the same extent and through similar paths. It shows then that, within each country, social movements' organizations with different characteristics frame European institutions and policies differently. These differences are explained by their distinct strategies of protest and alliance at the European level. Organizations acting in Brussels through lobbying techniques tend to follow a process of frame transformation, and organizations protesting at the transnational level tend to follow processes of frame extension and frame bridging. This analysis concentrates on a panel of 23 organizations representative of the pro-asylum movements in France and Germany.

Key words:

• Europeanization
• social movements
• frame analysis
• asylum policies

Acknowledgements

Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the CES conference in Barcelona in 2011 and at the Workshop in Elections, Public Opinion and Participation in Leicester in April 2013. The author would like to thank the participants for the comments. The author would also like to thank Leah Bassel and the anonymous reviewers for their useful comments.

Notes

1 ‘First call for mobilization for a counter-summit and an alternative forum on “Migrations and development”. For a Europe of openness and solidarity’, May 2008.

2 Frame bridging refers to ‘the linkage of two or more ideologically congruent but structurally unconnected frames regarding a particular issue, problem or set of events’ (Snow et al., 1986, p. 467). Frame amplification is the clarification and invigoration of an interpretive frame that bears on a particular issue, problem or set of events. Frame extension is the extension of the boundaries of a framework so as to encompass interests or points of view that are incidental to the primary objectives but of considerable salience to potential adherents. Finally, frame transformation refers to the definition of new interpretive schemes.

3 In their study on the Solidarity movements in international perspective, Marco Giugni and Florence Passy (2001a, pp. 6–7) present a definition of the ‘solidarity movement’ based on the notion of ‘political altruism’:

Political altruism is a form of behaviour based on acts performed by a group or/and on behalf of a group, and not aimed to meet individual interests; it is directed at a political goal of social change or the redefinition of power relations; and individuals involved in this type of social change do not stand to benefit directly from the success deriving from the accomplishment of those goals. Following this definition, the actions performed by the solidarity movement can be characterized as political altruism. Participants in the solidarity movement act collectively with a clear political aim, and their actions are pursued to the benefits of other people.

4 The results show that French SMOs tend to produce more documents with Europeanized framings than German SMOs. This does not mean however that they Europeanize more. In line with the developments presented in the precedent part, it means that the French pro-asylum movement is generally more active than the German one, and tends to communicate more.

5 Forum Réfugiés, L'Asile en France et en Europe. Etat des lieux 2006, June 2006, p. 27 (author's translation)

6 Forum Réfugiés, L'Asile en France et en Europe. Etat des lieux 2006, June 2006, p. 27 (author's translation)

7 Diakonisches Werk der EKD, ‘Stellungnahme des Diakonischen Werkes der EKD zum Richtlinienentwurf der EU über das Recht auf Familienzusammenführung’, April 2000

8 Pro Asyl, Tätigkeitsbericht des Vorstandes des Fördervereins PRO ASYL 2004/2005, p. 8 (author's translation)

9 CNSP, 18 MARS 1996 -18 MARS 1999. 3 ans de lutte des sans-papiers, March 1999 (author's translation)

10 ‘2/4: For freedom of movement and the right to stay. Call for a second European day of action For freedom of movement and the right to stay’, April 2005

11 Call for an action-day ‘escape and migration’, June 2007