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In Europe we trust? Exploring three logics of trust in the European Union

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  • Eelco Harteveld
  • Tom van der Meer
  • Catherine E De Vries

Abstract

This study develops and tests three explanations of trust in the European Union. Following the logic of rationality, trust originates from evaluations about the (actual and perceived) performances and procedures of the European Union. Trust within the logic of identity trust depends on citizens’ emotional attachments to the European Union. According to the logic of extrapolation, trust is an extension of national trust and therefore unrelated to the European Union itself. We test these explanations and their interrelations in a multilevel analysis of Eurobarometer 71.3 and conclude that the logic of extrapolation is the strongest predictor of trust in the European Union. Although we also find some evidence to suggest that rational calculus matters, by-and-large, citizens seem to trust or distrust the European Union for reasons that are largely distinct from the Union itself.

Suggested Citation

  • Eelco Harteveld & Tom van der Meer & Catherine E De Vries, 2013. "In Europe we trust? Exploring three logics of trust in the European Union," European Union Politics, , vol. 14(4), pages 542-565, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:14:y:2013:i:4:p:542-565
    DOI: 10.1177/1465116513491018
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    Cited by:

    1. Ioannou, Demosthenes & Jamet, Jean-Francois & Kleibl, Johannes, 2015. "Spillovers and euroscepticism," Working Paper Series 1815, European Central Bank.
    2. Thyen, Kressen, 2018. "Why It Matters What We Do: Arab Citizens' Perceptions of the European Union after the 2011 Uprisings," GIGA Working Papers 312, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies.
    3. Daniel L. Nielson & Susan D. Hyde & Judith Kelley, 2019. "The elusive sources of legitimacy beliefs: Civil society views of international election observers," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 685-715, December.
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    5. Gustavo Gouvêa Maciel & Luís de Sousa, 2018. "Legal Corruption and Dissatisfaction with Democracy in the European Union," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 140(2), pages 653-674, November.
    6. Bernd Schlipphak, 2015. "Measuring attitudes toward regional organizations outside Europe," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 10(3), pages 351-375, September.
    7. Leena K. Koivusilta, 2018. "Country-Level Investment in Cultural Opportunity Structures. A Potential Source of Health Differences Between 21 European Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 137(3), pages 1091-1118, June.

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