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Determinants of support for European integration: the case of Bulgaria

Faculty Advisor

Date

2008

Keywords

Bulgaria, economic performance, European integration, public attitudes

Abstract (summary)

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.

Publication Information

Tanasoiu, C., & Colonescue, C. (2008). Determinants of support for European integration: The case of Bulgaria. European Union Politics, 9(3), 363-377. doi: 10.1177/1465116508093489

Notes

Item Type

Article

Language

English

Rights

All Rights Reserved