The EU's crowdsourced collective identity: Forming identity with political cartoons

Lucille WESTPHAL-MUTHS

Diplomová práce

The EUs crowdsourced group identity: Forming identity with news cartoons

Abstract:

Drawing on literature that highlights the EU's struggle to establish a cohesive identity among its citizens, this thesis explores the representation of the European Union (EU) in political cartoons and examines how these depictions contribute to understanding the EU's identity. Using the crises of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic as focal points, the study investigates the visual and symbolic portrayal of the EU in 32 political cartoons using Barthes' image rhetoric methodology. The research is grounded in theories of identity formation, collective identity, and visual culture. The analysis reveals a foundational dichotomy in the EU's representation, oscillating between strength and weakness reflecting the EU's incomplete political integration. The study also highlights the absence of a unified visual representation of the EU and lack of coherent visual identity, underscoring the EU's fragmented identity and its struggle to connect with its citizens on a cultural and emotional level. Ultimately, the study concludes that the EU's identity is best characterized by its complexity and ambiguity. The lack of a clear, cohesive representation in political cartoons reflects deeper issues in the EU's structure and its relationship with its citizens. While political cartoons offer valuable insights into public perceptions of the EU, they also reveal the institution's struggle to establish a strong collective identity. The findings underscore the need for further research into the impact of cultural and media representations on European identity and the development of strategies to bridge the gap between EU institutions and its citizens.

Abstract:

Drawing on literature that highlights the EU's struggle to establish a cohesive identity among its citizens, this thesis explores the representation of the European Union (EU) in political cartoons and examines how these depictions contribute to understanding the EU's identity. Using the crises of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic as focal points, the study investigates the visual and symbolic portrayal of the EU in 32 political cartoons using Barthes' image rhetoric methodology. The research is grounded in theories of identity formation, collective identity, and visual culture. The analysis reveals a foundational dichotomy in the EU's representation, oscillating between strength and weakness reflecting the EU's incomplete political integration. The study also highlights the absence of a unified visual representation of the EU and lack of coherent visual identity, underscoring the EU's fragmented identity and its struggle to connect with its citizens on a cultural and emotional level. Ultimately, the study concludes that the EU's identity is best characterized by its complexity and ambiguity. The lack of a clear, cohesive representation in political cartoons reflects deeper issues in the EU's structure and its relationship with its citizens. While political cartoons offer valuable insights into public perceptions of the EU, they also reveal the institution's struggle to establish a strong collective identity. The findings underscore the need for further research into the impact of cultural and media representations on European identity and the development of strategies to bridge the gap between EU institutions and its citizens.

Keywords

European identity, political cartoons, visual culture

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 30. 7. 2025

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: doc. Mgr. Martin Elbel, M.A., Ph.D.

UNIVERZITA PALACKÉHO V OLOMOUCI

Filozofická fakulta

Magisterský studijní program / obor:
Euroculture / Euroculture