Another Theory is Possible: Dissident Voices in Theorising Europe

Whitman, Richard G. (2016) Another Theory is Possible: Dissident Voices in Theorising Europe. Journal of Common Market Studies, 54 (1). pp. 3-18. ISSN 0021-9886. E-ISSN 1468-5965. (doi:10.1111/jcms.12332)

Abstract

The article argues that dissident voices which attempt to theorise Europe differently and advocate another European trajectory have been largely excluded and left unheard in mainstream discussions over the past decade of scholarship and analysis. Dissident voices in European Union studies are those that seek to actively challenge the mainstream of the study of Europe. As all the contributors to the special issue make clear, there is a rich diversity of alternatives to mainstream thinking and theorising the EU on which to draw for different ways of theorising Europe. The introductory article briefly examines the discipline of mainstreaming, then surveys extent of polyphonic engagement in EU studies before setting out how the special issue contributors move beyond the mainstream. The article will argue the merits of more polyphonic engagement with dissident voices and differing disciplinary approach for the health and vitality of EU studies and the EU policy field itself. The article sets out the wide range of contributions which the special issue articles make to theorising the EU. It summarises the special issue argument that by allowing for dissident voices in theorising Europe another Europe, and another theory, is possible indeed probable.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1111/jcms.12332
Uncontrolled keywords:	European Union Theory
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JC Political theory J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe)
Divisions:	Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Politics and International Relations > Global Europe Centre
Depositing User:	Richard G Whitman
Date Deposited:	12 Sep 2015 15:47 UTC
Last Modified:	29 May 2019 16:00 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/50480 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Whitman, Richard G.:	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9105-4180