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Does education decrease Euroscepticism? A regression discontinuity design using compulsory schooling reforms in four European countries

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  • Sander Kunst

    (Department of Sociology and Department of Political Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Theresa Kuhn

    (Department of Political Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Herman G van de Werfhorst

Abstract

Previous research shows a strong and consistent relationship between educational attainment and Euroscepticism. As a result, education is considered to be a powerful predictor of attitudes towards European integration. However, these findings are predominantly found using cross-sectional research designs, therefore leaving open the possibility of strong selection effects due to pre-adult experiences and dispositions which both explain educational attainment and political attitudes. To test whether schooling causally reduces Euroscepticism, this article combines data on the compulsory schooling age with seven rounds of pooled European Social Survey data (2002–2014). Using compulsory schooling reforms within a ‘fuzzy’ regression discontinuity design, the results indicate no conclusive effect of education on Euroscepticism, questioning the impact of additional schooling. Consequently, this study provides a novel insight into the much-debated divide in support for European integration between lower and higher educated.

Suggested Citation

  • Sander Kunst & Theresa Kuhn & Herman G van de Werfhorst, 2020. "Does education decrease Euroscepticism? A regression discontinuity design using compulsory schooling reforms in four European countries," European Union Politics, , vol. 21(1), pages 24-42, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:21:y:2020:i:1:p:24-42
    DOI: 10.1177/1465116519877972
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    Cited by:

    1. Sander Kunst & Theresa Kuhn & Herman G van de Werfhorst, 2023. "As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined? The role of parental versus own education for openness towards globalisation," European Union Politics, , vol. 24(2), pages 264-285, June.
    2. Klaus Armingeon, 2021. "Fiscal solidarity: The conditional role of political knowledge," European Union Politics, , vol. 22(1), pages 133-154, March.
    3. Deole, Sumit S. & Zeydanli, Tugba, 2021. "Does education predict gender role attitudes?: Evidence from European datasets," GLO Discussion Paper Series 793, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    4. Dominik Schraff & Ronja Sczepanski, 2022. "United or divided in diversity? The heterogeneous effects of ethnic diversity on European and national identities," European Union Politics, , vol. 23(2), pages 236-258, June.
    5. Binh Thi Thanh Dang & Trung Xuan Hoang, 2024. "The impact of compulsory primary education law on the educational attainment of children: Evidence from Vietnam," Asian Economic Journal, East Asian Economic Association, vol. 38(1), pages 118-147, March.

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