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Building Up Legitimacy? Analysis of the European Central Bank Narrative During the COVID-19 Crisis

Author

Listed:
  • Paulo Vila Maior

    (Faculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Coimbra and CEIS20)

  • Isabel Camisão

    (Faculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Coimbra and CICP)

Abstract

For the literature on crisis management, two of the most important undertakings are sense-making (what is going on) and meaning-making (causes and consequences; and solutions). They feed the public’s understanding and support of crisis responses. Meaning-making is connected to change that emerges from the crisis, providing a relevant explanation of post-crisis policies: the way we perceive a crisis will determine to what extent we are willing to accept a post-crisis reform. The article addresses narratives of the European Central Bank’s during the COVID-19 pandemic, building on the literature on crisis communication, and particularly on the “crisis-exploitation-reform script†combined with literature on policy narratives. Our goal is to answer three interrelated research questions: how did the ECB frame the pandemic crisis? Were ECB’s narratives crafted onto policy reform? How did the ECB shaped narratives in order to build up legitimacy?

Suggested Citation

  • Paulo Vila Maior & Isabel Camisão, 2025. "Building Up Legitimacy? Analysis of the European Central Bank Narrative During the COVID-19 Crisis," Scientific Annals of Economics and Business (continues Analele Stiintifice), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 72(SI), pages 1-17, SI.
    • Handle: RePEc:aic:saebjn:v:72:y:2025:i:si:p:1-17:n:3
    DOI: 10.47743/saeb-2025-0016
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Arjen Boin & Sanneke Kuipers & Werner Overdijk, 2013. "Leadership in Times of Crisis: A Framework for Assessment," International Review of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(1), pages 79-91, April.
    2. Chang, Michele, 2002. "The Logic of Collective Responsibility in European Monetary Integration," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(2), pages 239-255, September.
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