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Determinants of Support for European Integration

Author

Listed:
  • Cosmina Tanasoiu

    (American University in Bulgaria, Bulgaria, ctanasoiu@aubg.bg)

  • Constantin Colonescu

    (Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton, Canada, ColonescuC@macewan.ca)

Abstract

The electorate's ability to influence the European agenda through European elections and national referenda has led to a close inspection of public attitudes by both academics and politicians. Taking a micro-level approach, this article contributes to the larger literature on the formation of public attitudes and aims at identifying the factors that influence public attitudes towards European integration in Bulgaria, one of the new member states. We use a national survey and rely upon utilitarian, value-based and heuristic factors to test several hypotheses. Although our data confirm the argument that support is higher in countries with lower opportunity costs of transferring sovereignty to the European Union, we also find that EU membership is assessed by projecting potential benefits for future generations rather than self-centered expectations of immediate returns.

Suggested Citation

  • Cosmina Tanasoiu & Constantin Colonescu, 2008. "Determinants of Support for European Integration," European Union Politics, , vol. 9(3), pages 363-377, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:9:y:2008:i:3:p:363-377
    DOI: 10.1177/1465116508093489
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ivlevs, Artjoms & King, Roswitha M., 2019. "To Europe or Not to Europe? Migration and Public Support for Joining the European Union in the Western Balkans," IZA Discussion Papers 12254, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Barbara Dluhosch & Daniel Horgos & Klaus W. Zimmermann, 2016. "EU enlargement and satisfaction with democracy: a peculiar case of immiserizing growth," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 273-298, September.

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