ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the social construction of crisis, the relative positioning of actors, and their advocating of institutional change by re-framing capitalism. It introduces an actor-centred concept of crisis framing that crises are always subject to social construction. The chapter discusses the importance of framing and ideological hegemony and what lessons should be considered for the debate on the challenges of European integration. Pressure on European trade unions has increased considerably with the unfolding of the social and political consequences of the Great Recession. The analysis builds on a collection of all press releases disseminated by German and British actors between 2008 and 2014. The way an actor frames a crisis, or any situation for that matter, is a strategic choice and an important part of the struggle over policies, institutional change, and ideological hegemony. Looking closer at some of the similarities in the strategic crisis framing though challenges readings that exaggerate structural-institutional differences.
