The Perception of Europeanization in Public Institutions: the Imagery of the

Abstract

This study deals with the Europeanization of institutional players after Romania's accession to the European Union. Based on a constructivist model of analysis, the study highlights the perception of European rules in three public institutions whose fields of activity are based on specific European regulations and policies. How are the "internal rules" reconstructed within the profession and the institution and how do these players build a European identity in the public space, by defining certain priorities, by outlining social critiques or "general interest" issues? How exactly do institutions problematize the application of Community regulations in their professional field and in society at large? By adopting the discourse analysis method the study shows that accession did not generate essential changes with respect to institutional construction (new practices, a different institutional "policy", etc.). The change of status - through the accession to the EU - has not always been followed by the application of strategies on how to use European regulations.

Keywords

• Europeanization
• rules
• institutional practice
• public issue
• use