Joining the EU?

Thomas Christin and Alexander H. Trechsel
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Thomas Christin: University of Geneva, Switzerland and University of St Galen, Switzerland thomas.christin@unisg.ch
Alexander H. Trechsel: University of Geneva, Switzerland and European University Institute, Florence, Italy Alexandre.Trechsel@droit.unige.ch

European Union Politics, 2002, vol. 3, issue 4, 415-443

Abstract: Our model suggests that national political, economic and cultural dimensions have to be taken into account when explaining support for European Union (EU) membership among the Swiss electorate. Using data from the first Eurobarometer survey in Switzerland (1999), we empirically test our model using structural equation modelling. We find that institutional attachment and `image' of neighbouring countries are strongly linked to the perception of threat to national interests, which in turn is a strong predictor of support for joining the EU. We also show that national identity, attachment to neutrality, as well as perceived economic gain or loss from EU membership are directly linked to attitudes towards EU membership.

Keywords: European integration; institutional attachment; national identity; national interests; public opinion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2002
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:3:y:2002:i:4:p:415-443

DOI: 10.1177/1465116502003004002

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