Making Sense of the European Union

This book explores how different Chinese social groups portray or discuss the European Union. They use qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods empirical research to show that, despite China’s authoritarian political system, social actors construct complex representations of the EU that may influence government policy. This book explores how different Chinese social groups portray or discuss the European Union. The authors engage with issues such as trade, populism, EU crises, systemic rivalry and the Chinese media’s representation of European integration and Brexit. They use qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods empirical research to show that, despite China’s authoritarian political system, social actors construct complex representations of the EU that may influence government policy. Rather than dismissing Chinese scholars as little more than state agents, one can benefit from their unique insights by analysing the prisms through which they view the world. In doing so, Western scholars can better understand the distinct institutional and cultural traditions that filter their own views of China. Richard McMahon lectures on EU politics at University College London. He has been a journalist of EU affairs and taught in Ireland, the UK and Germany. His research and publications concentrate on the ways that people think about Europe and nations – and how this affects politics, especially China-EU relations. Hongsong Liu is a professor in School of International and Public Affairs at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His research is primarily focused on international organizations, global governance as well as Chinese foreign policy. He has published widely in both international peer-reviewed journals and leading Chinese IR journals. This book explores how different Chinese social groups portray or discuss the European Union. The authors engage with issues such as trade, populism, EU crises, systemic rivalry and the Chinese media’s representation of European integration and Brexit. They use qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods empirical research to show that, despite China’s authoritarian political system, social actors construct complex representations of the EU that may influence government policy. Rather than dismissing Chinese scholars as little more than state agents, one can benefit from their unique insights by analysing the prisms through which they view the world. In doing so, Western scholars can better understand the distinct institutional and cultural traditions that filter their own views of China.