The concept of politicization is increasingly used and discussed in current theoretical and empirical research on democracy and the European Union. But what exactly is meant by the different usages of politicization? How is politicization in each case theorized, conceptualized and operationalized? This talk will aim at rethinking politicization as a theoretical and empirical concept. It will: first, outline crucial questions related to its understanding and usages in general and regarding the EU in particular; second, discuss how it can be further theorized and operationalized; and third, develop a multi-level and multi-stage concept of politicization.
