Die asymmetrische Politisierung als neue Triebfeder der europäischen Integrationsdynamik

European politics is more polarised than ever. The former lack of conflict over EU policy decisions is being replaced by a lack of consensus. The agreements reached in Brussels are increasingly contentious, the European institutions seem increasingly fragmented and European political debate has become increasingly controversial. The asymmetric politicisation of the European Union has manifold manifestations that produce not only negative but also positive criticism, and not only resistance against but also support for the political system. If politicisation is not only understood as an obstacle to integration, but seen as having the potential to promote integration, the somewhat outdated drivers of European integration dynamics and policymaking, namely ‘deepening’ and ‘widening’, could be replaced or at least complemented by the new driver of ‘politicisation’.