Analysis Of The Process Of Political Integration In The European Public Sphere

This article mainly argues the conception, form and construction of European Public Sphere from the perspective of European integration. The political integration is an essential progress in the whole integration of Europe. But the present integration has followed a top-to-bottom model advocated in the governments'level of European nations, neglecting the fundamental role played by European citizens in the process. So it can not offer satisfactory solutions to newly-arisen issues in European integration. The alternative model is to construct European public sphere in an opposite model within social level. To some extent, the construction of European public sphere is one of the indispensable prerequisite for Europe's political integration, wherefore the research on how to construct European public sphere is of great significance.The article firstly explains the concept in relation to European public sphere, which means that viewpoints on common issues faced by European citizens can be discussed, debated and exchanged in a space. European public sphere has an intrinsic connection with the connotation of pubic sphere and political public sphere. As a complementary argument, it also introduces us the long-lasting contribution that Habermas did in the theoretical development and political practice of European public sphere.Secondly, the article analyses the historical form and contemporary development of European public sphere: before the integration of Europe the spread of the pan-Europe thought can be regarded as the original form of it and, after the integration it appeared in European citizens'common craving for and belief in peace and their adherence to and enforcement of related treaties. Now, the importance of European public sphere has been proved in EU's long-term political practice, even though it did not get high development. Without the construction of comprehensive European public sphere, the political integration and governance of EU may encounter tremendous difficulties. Then, the author discusses the necessity and feasibility of constructing European public sphere. The necessity is demonstrated in the following two aspects: In the short term, the constructing promotes the formation of consensus and European identity among citizens in the whole Europe and solves issues happening in European political integration such as constitutional crisis, democratic deficit and social exclusion. In the long term, it provides the legitimatization for EU political integration and governance. Furthermore, the feasibility means that despite challenges caused by the present condition of regulations, cultures and reality, the construction can be achieved as long as EU and its members carry out action in various areas through cooperation.