Research
19.02.2020

Juncker's Curse? Identity, Interest, and Public Support for the Integration of Core State Powers

Image: CC TheAndrasBarta, Source: Pixabay

This study analyses the patterns and covariates of public support for the European integration of core state powers based on an original new survey. Considerable variation across integration instruments, member states and policy issues were found. Horizontal transfers are supported more than vertical capacity building; member states from the EU's South‐East are more supportive than states from the North‐West; and support increases from debt relief to unemployment assistance, sharing the burdens of refugees, and military defence to disaster aid. Identity is a strong and fairly consistent predictor for individual variations in support. Overall, support for the integration of core state powers is higher and more variable than expected. This suggests there is considerable room for political agency rather than a general constraining dissensus.

Björn Bremer, Philipp Genschel und Markus Jachtenfuchs, (2020) Juncker's Curse? Identity, Interest, and Public Support for the Integration of Core State PowersJournal of Common Market Studies.

Image: CC TheAndrasBarta, Source: Pixabay