Legitimisation and Expressions of Identity and Attitude: A Discursve Approach

This paper explores the nature of and relationship between ‘identities’ and
‘legitimacy’. First, an analytical distinction is made between expressions of identity
and expressions of attitudes about Europe and the European Union. A discussion of
‘legitimacy’ is provided that proposes the process of ‘legitimisation’ as the attribution
of rights and duties to a given actor, in a specific context. Next, Positioning Theory is
proposed as a theoretical and analytical framework for understanding processes of
identity construction and legitimisation in discourse. To further illuminate these
processes, empirical examples are provided, using the Positioning Triad as a tool to
analyse discourse surrounding the Danish Euro referendum. Finally, implications for
practice are discussed.