Explaining preferences for EU integration: Theory and empirical evidence

Abstract

We present and empirically test a model that explains how European citizens form their preferences for integration, which is crucial for understanding the public support for EU advancement. The model incorporates varying levels of information and awareness of how EU legislation impacts national politics as well as economic considerations. The empirical results indicate that European citizens tend to be aware of the interplay between EU laws and national legislation. We reach this conclusion by showing that further EU integration is supported by citizens who believe EU legislation amends their national policies. By contrast, Euroscepticism emerges among citizens who perceive the EU as interfering in their domestic politics. Our theory and empirical evidence suggest that citizens see EU legislation as correcting or undermining national politics, contrasting with other theories that directly link support for integration and Euroscepticism to left- and right-wing ideological orientations.