A European civil society elite? Analysing capital and drama at the European Economic and Social Committee

IF 2.3 1区社会学 Q2 SOCIOLOGY

European Societies Pub Date : 2022-05-19 DOI:10.1080/14616696.2022.2076893

A. Uhlin, Malin Arvidson

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引用次数: 1

Abstract

ABSTRACT Contributing to research on civil society elites in the EU context, this article focuses on the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). It explores who the main actors are, what roles they play, and what resources they use, value, and compete for in this arena. The theoretical starting points are grounded in Bourdieu’s notions of field and capital and a Goffmanesque approach to drama. Based on semi-structured interviews with EESC members and administrators, observations at EESC meetings, and document analysis, the study explores the types of capital linked to different actors and roles, stages, and scripts in the EESC field. The most valued capital across EESC stages are social capital in the form of personal networks, and cultural capital in the form of negotiation skills and issue-specific knowledge. Actors are supposed to follow a script of being pro-European, representing organised civil society in Europe, and aiming at consensus. Being active at the EESC stages, at least in leading roles, gives actors a kind of EESC-specific capital in the form of access to influential EU decision-makers.

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欧洲公民社会精英?在欧洲经济和社会委员会分析资本和戏剧

为研究欧盟背景下的公民社会精英，本文主要关注欧洲经济社会委员会(EESC)。它探讨了主要参与者是谁，他们扮演什么角色，以及他们在这个舞台上使用、重视和竞争什么资源。理论的出发点是基于布迪厄的场域和资本的概念，以及高夫曼式的戏剧方法。基于对EESC成员和管理人员的半结构化访谈、对EESC会议的观察和文件分析，本研究探讨了与EESC领域不同参与者和角色、阶段和脚本相关的资本类型。在EESC各个阶段，最受重视的资本是以个人网络为形式的社会资本，以及以谈判技巧和特定问题知识为形式的文化资本。演员们应该遵循亲欧的剧本，代表欧洲有组织的公民社会，并以达成共识为目标。活跃在EESC阶段，至少担任领导角色，可以让参与者获得一种EESC特有的资本，即接触有影响力的欧盟决策者。

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来源期刊

European Societies SOCIOLOGY-

CiteScore

15.70

自引率

1.20%

发文量

期刊介绍： European Societies, the flagship journal of the European Sociological Association, aims to promote and share sociological research related to Europe. As a generalist sociology journal, we welcome research from all areas of sociology. However, we have a specific focus on addressing the socio-economic and socio-political challenges faced by European societies, as well as exploring all aspects of European social life and socioculture. Our journal is committed to upholding ethical standards and academic independence. We conduct a rigorous and anonymous review process for all submitted manuscripts. This ensures the quality and integrity of the research we publish. European Societies encourages a plurality of perspectives within the sociology discipline. We embrace a wide range of sociological methods and theoretical approaches. Furthermore, we are open to articles that adopt a historical perspective and engage in comparative research involving Europe as a whole or specific European countries. We also appreciate comparative studies that include societies beyond Europe. In summary, European Societies is dedicated to promoting sociological research with a focus on European societies. We welcome diverse methodological and theoretical approaches, historical perspectives, and comparative studies involving Europe and other societies.