O-2006/12: Legitimisation and Expressions of Identity and Attitude: A Discursve Approach
This paper explores the nature of and relationship between ‘identities’ and‘legitimacy’. First, an analytical distinction is made between expressions of identityand expressions of attitudes about Europe and the European Union. A discussion of‘legitimacy’ is provided that proposes the process of ‘legitimisation’ as the attributionof rights and duties to a given actor, in a specific context. Next, Positioning Theory isproposed as a theoretical and analytical framework for understanding processes ofidentity construction and legitimisation in discourse. To further illuminate theseprocesses, empirical examples are provided, using the Positioning Triad as a tool toanalyse discourse surrounding the Danish Euro referendum. Finally, implications forpractice are discussed...