Opening up Europe: next steps in politicisation research

In this commentary, an outside perspective, mainly informed by International Relations (IR) and Political Theory (PT), is taken. From there, three issues are identified that point to the next steps in extending the research programme on politicisation. First, it is argued that an exclusive focus on public media might be too narrow in scope, as important features of politicisation are not taken into account. Second, it is highlighted that chances are missed by placing exclusive focus on the EU, and again an opening up by comparing findings from the study of the EU with developments on other political levels is argued for. Third, the emerging focus on the consequences of politicisation is to be applauded from an opening-up perspective.