Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents on-going debates on the development of the European Public Sphere (EPS) and on the complementary roles played by institutions, media and civil society in structuring public discourse about Europe and European integration. It provides a timely reflection on the communication arenas that are structuring discourse on Europe, in order to better understand the development of the EPS and the potential role of institutions, media and civil society organisations in this process. The concept of the public sphere is important as a precondition for the realisation of popular sovereignty because, in principle, it entitles everybody to speak without limitations. The development of transnational spaces of communication would facilitate citizen's participation in EU processes, would provide valuable inputs to EU governance, foster the emergence of the EU polity and help the politicisation of EU issues, allowing minorities a voice in policy-making.