Article
Publication Date
April 2017
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of International Relations and Development
Volume
20
Issue
2
Abstract
Prior research on citizen support for European integration does not consider the influenceof individuals’ evaluations of European nationalities. The model developed in this articleargues that individuals harbour images regarding other European nationalities. Theseimages, which are tied to the economic development of the nationalities’ country, influencetransnational trust (the general trust that individuals put in another nationality).Transnational trust explains support for integration, for it facilitates cooperation amongdiverse groups. As a result, the overall transnational trust is important in explaining supportfor integration. In addition, trust in nationalities from poorer countries has a strongerimpact on support than trust in nationalities from wealthier countries. This is due to thefact that nationalities from poorer countries occupy lower social strata and that thesestrata evoke specific images. Controlling for various factors, regression analysis of theEuropean Election Study (2004 and 2009) and the Eurobarometer 64.2 (2005) datasupports these claims.
First Page
358
Last Page
380