More or less integration? Examining support for different EU future scenarios in Austria

Abstract

Understanding public opinion on the EU remains a pressing issue. In contrast to previous studies on EU attitudes in general, we pose the following question: Which factors help us to understand public support for five specific scenarios for the EU’s future? We promote the still undertheorized identity approach that has developed alongside the utilitarian and the cue-taking perspectives. We argue that a European Social Capital–composed of trust, norms and networks with other Europeans–is related to support for further integration scenarios. The multivariate analyses are based upon a mass survey conducted in Austria. Our results show a significant correlation between higher levels of European Social Capital and positive attitudes towards scenarios for more integration. This adds to the identity approach in the literature on EU attitudes. Our study has important implications for the EU’s reform debate. If people feel emotionally connected with other Europeans, they are willing to accept deeper integration processes. Pure economic arguments seem insufficient.