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