TTIP - A shot in the arm for trade or a shot in the heart of democracy

Sammanfattning: This thesis examines how the European Commission depoliticises TTIP, the free trade agreement currently negotiated by EU and the US government and what the consequences are. Taking on a discourse theoretical perspective on power, inspired by Chantal Mouffe and Ernesto Laclau, where language plays a central part, this thesis regards depoliticisation as a discursive phenomenon. As language according to the discourse theory constitutes the reality it determines the viable political alternatives. A discourse analytical approach, focused on the written language, is used to analyse the European commission’s speeches regarding TTIP. The thesis concludes that the main consequence of the discursive depoliticisation is that TTIP appears to be the only rational policy option to deal with the challenges of globalisation. The discursive depoliticisation of TTIP takes place in three different ways: Firstly, by portraying TTIP as the only possible option to maintain employment and wealth in the European countries; Secondly, by reducing TTIP to a question of technical matters and thereby erasing the political character and legitimising a technocratic way of governing; Lastly, by framing the criticism against TTIP as simply myths and fiction, thereby effectively delegitimising the opponents’ arguments. All that remain is one perspective and one policy option, assumed to be for the benefit of all. The main consequences of the discursive depoliticisation are firstly and most obvious that TTIP appears to be the only rational option to deal with the challenges of the globalisation. The second, least obvious but certainly the most important consequence of the depoliticisation concerns the negative effects on the pluralistic democratic debate and the democratic system as a whole.