Talking About Money: Public Participation and Expert Knowledge in the Euro Referendum

Evans, Robert John ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7034-5122 2004. Talking About Money: Public Participation and Expert Knowledge in the Euro Referendum. The British Journal of Sociology 55 (1) , pp. 35-53. 10.1111/j.1468-4446.2004.00005.x

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Abstract

This paper uses the proposed UK referendum on the single European currency as a means of investigating the effect of democratizing science on the scrutiny of conflicting expert advice. Although the referendum has not happened yet, and may not happen at all, the campaigners for and against the Euro have none the less been working for several years to ensure that if, and when, it does happen they are in a position to win it. By exploring how campaigners on both sides of the debate understand the concerns of voters, the paper shows how they are working towards a referendum in which the political dimensions of the Euro are actively minimized in order to avoid alienating key ‘floating voters’. Instead, the campaign is expected to focus on the economic costs and benefits of the Euro for individuals and households, with only limited discussion of issues relating to sovereignty. Whether or not the campaign groups, particularly those that oppose the Euro, can maintain this line remains to be seen but if there is a full and frank public debate about the economic, social and political stakes, then this will be despite the referendum rather than because of it.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Democratizing science; participation; public understanding of science; single European currency
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1468-4446
Last Modified:	17 Oct 2022 09:26
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/3179

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