Framing in Politics: from Maidan to Euro-Maidan

Abstract

Analysis of frames in politics is of the utmost interest for sociology, because it allows to unravel implicit mechanisms and techniques of meaning creation, which different subjects are using for social influence. The aim of this article is a description of heuristic possibilities of the frame-analysis, and specifics of using this method in analysis of politics. It is shown that this analysis allows to demonstrate the ambivalent composition of framing both as a routine process of meaning creation and as a purposeful construction of images of political reality, particularly in the mass media. In this context the mechanism of re-framing — re-evaluation of situation for specific political purposes is of some interest. Special attention is paid to the analysis of dynamic approach to political framing by D. Yanow and M. van Hulst. Following this approach four aspects of framing are distinguished: framing of nomination, framing of symbolic meanings, framing of things through values, framing of participants identity. In accordance with this method, most popular Ukrainian news websites (pravda.com.ua; segodnya.ua; censor.net; correspondent.net) were examined and particular techniques of framing and reframing that were used during the period of Orange revolution and Euro-Maidan were uncovered. A concl usion was made that the frame of “popular assembly” democracy was primary for the description of Maidan-2004, and that the frame of leading form of European democracy was primary for the description of Euro-Maidan. It was also shown that the latter contains the potential for political and social rupture.