Toward a Reflexive Political Sociology of the European Union ― Fields, Intellectuals and Politicians

This book argues that contemporary European politics creates new forms of

transnational power that challenge the traditional parameters of the nation-state.

Kauppi identifies and critically explores the evolving dynamics between national

and transnational spaces, groups and knowledge, and suggests that European public

policies and transnational institutions like the European Parliament create new spaces,

types of knowledge and novel political practices.

Toward a Reflexive Political Sociology of the European Union is structured around

three parts. The first focuses on evolving transnational fields. The second explores the

changing role of academics and universities. The third section engages with the works

of Pierre Bourdieu on politics and the media. The issues discussed throughout the

book revolve around the challenges to the nation-state and of knowledge production

that is tied to it.

This book will be an invaluable resource to academics and researchers interested in

European politics, European Union studies and political sociology.

Niilo Kauppi is Research Professor at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and is Distinguished Professor at University of Jyvaskyla, Finland.