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Peoples’ perspectives on the ‘Future of Europe’ – A comparative study from within and beyond the European Union

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  • Andreas C Goldberg
  • Lukas Benedikt Hoffmann

Abstract

Tendencies of European disintegration – culminated in Brexit – have laid bare the lack of a future plan for Europe. Few extant studies contain a future outlook and often lack a public opinion perspective, albeit the latter’s relevance in the ‘constraining dissensus’ between citizens and political elites about European integration. Focusing on European Union–non-European Union relations, this study presents comparative evidence on peoples’ preferences for the future of EUrope and their underlying reasons. We map citizen preferences using original open-ended survey question responses across eight European countries from within and outside the European Union. Our results show that non-European Union citizens’ preferences deviate more strongly from the status quo compared to those of European Union citizens. In contrast, risk-taking attitudes play no role for citizen preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas C Goldberg & Lukas Benedikt Hoffmann, 2024. "Peoples’ perspectives on the ‘Future of Europe’ – A comparative study from within and beyond the European Union," European Union Politics, , vol. 25(1), pages 151-172, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:25:y:2024:i:1:p:151-172
    DOI: 10.1177/14651165231214415
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