Abstract

A European public sphere is analyzed in details. The problem of existence of a European public sphere is defined as the subject of wide speculation in scientific literature. Particular emphasis is placed on the EU ‘democratic deficit’ problem and its connection with the supranational public sphere formation. It is accentuated that studies on a pan-European public sphere has an interdisciplinary character. The problem of normative and empirical understanding is considered in the context of an emerging supranational public sphere in the EU. From this point of view three strands of research are scrutinized. Besides two main empirical approaches to a problem of defining the essence of transnational public sphere are closely examined: media attention to the European affairs; different aspects of the EU functioning as a subject of deliberation in national media. Hence the question of correlation of European affairs and national issues is studied as crucial. Proper attention is devoted to the problem of empirical measurement of a European public sphere. At the same time mention is made of its normative conceptualizations. It is accentuated the importance of designation of the pre-conditions for the emergence of a pan-European public sphere. At that a transnational ‘community of communication’ is viewed in light of the problem of a European demos and its collective identity formation. An important part of this research is the issue of the Europeanization of national public spheres of the EU member states. Multidimensional model of the Europeanization of national public spheres is thoroughly studied. As the result of this analysis the problem of proper interaction of a pan-European and national public spheres is defined as a principal prerequisite for its effective functioning. As a conclusion the essential characteristics of transnational public sphere of the EU are designated.