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A Two-Level Analysis of the Determinants of Direct Democratic Choices in European, Immigration and Foreign Policy in Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Pascal Sciarini

    (University of Geneva, Switzerland, pascal.sciarini@unige.ch)

  • Anke Tresch

    (University of Geneva, Switzerland, anke.tresch@unige.ch)

Abstract

This article employs a unique data set — covering 25 popular votes on foreign, European and immigration/asylum policy held between 1992 and 2006 in Switzerland — in order to examine the conditional impact of context upon utilitarian, cultural, political and cognitive determinants of individual attitudes toward international openness. Our results reveal clear patterns of cross-level interactions between individual determinants and the project-related context of the vote. Thus, although party cues and political competence have a strong impact on individuals’ support for international openness, this impact is substantially mediated by the type of coalition that is operating within the party elite. Similarly, subjective utilitarian and cultural considerations influence the voters’ decision in interaction with the content of the proposal submitted to the voters as well as with the framing of the voting campaign.

Suggested Citation

  • Pascal Sciarini & Anke Tresch, 2009. "A Two-Level Analysis of the Determinants of Direct Democratic Choices in European, Immigration and Foreign Policy in Switzerland," European Union Politics, , vol. 10(4), pages 456-481, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:10:y:2009:i:4:p:456-481
    DOI: 10.1177/1465116509346388
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pascal Sciarini & Ola Listhaug, 1997. "Single Cases or a Unique Pair? The Swiss and Norwegian ‘No’ to Europe," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(3), pages 407-438, September.
    2. Sides, John & Citrin, Jack, 2007. "European Opinion About Immigration: The Role of Identities, Interests and Information," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 37(3), pages 477-504, July.
    3. Matthew Gabel & Kenneth Scheve, 2007. "Estimating the Effect of Elite Communications on Public Opinion Using Instrumental Variables," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 51(4), pages 1013-1028, October.
    4. Kenneth F. Scheve & Matthew J. Slaughter, 2001. "Labor Market Competition And Individual Preferences Over Immigration Policy," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 83(1), pages 133-145, February.
    5. Jones, K. & Johnston, R. J. & Pattie, C. J., 1992. "People, Places and Regions: Exploring the Use of Multi-Level Modelling in the Analysis of Electoral Data," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(3), pages 343-380, July.
    6. Eichenberg, Richard C. & Dalton, Russell J., 1993. "Europeans and the European Community: the dynamics of public support for European integration," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 47(4), pages 507-534, October.
    7. Ron Johnston & Kelvyn Jones & Carol Propper & Simon Burgess, 2007. "Region, Local Context, and Voting at the 1997 General Election in England," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 51(3), pages 640-654, July.
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