The Europeanization of National Polities?

This book examines EU citizens' attitudes toward European citizenship, exploring its prevalence, drivers, and impact on political participation. It analyzes data from 16 countries, revealing complex variations in EU identity and representation.

The Europeanization of National Polities? examines the evolving attitudes of EU citizens towards their sense of European citizenship. The authors focus on three critical questions: the prevalence of European citizenship, the primary factors driving these sentiments, and the potential impacts of citizenship on support for the EU and political engagement within EU politics. Central to the book is an exploration of how EU citizens perceive their role within a functioning European political system and their self-identification as EU citizens.

The study draws on a comparative dataset from a 2007 survey conducted across 16 EU countries and Serbia, providing insights into the levels of European identity, representation, and preferences for EU policy among the public. Contrary to initial expectations, the findings reveal that from 1975 to 2007, there was no significant trend in these dimensions of EU citizenship. However, the authors identify notable variations in attitudes both among individuals and across different countries, offering explanations based on various hypotheses.

A key focus of the book is the interconnectedness of the three dimensions of citizenship: EU identity, representation, and policy scope. The authors argue that these elements are mutually reinforcing, with the representation aspect being particularly crucial for fostering a broader sense of citizenship at the EU level. This highlights the importance of addressing public concerns regarding the EU's perceived democratic deficit, suggesting that enhancing representation could strengthen citizens' connections to the European project.