The integration hypothesis: How the European Union shapes economic voting

Whereas economic perceptions influence the national vote in Western European countries, globalization, or international openness, conditions the influence of economic perceptions on that national vote. But how do attitudes toward the EU itself influence the economic vote? After establishing the pres...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Electoral studies 2012-09, Vol.31 (3), p.522-528
Main Authors: Lobo, Marina Costa, Lewis-Beck, Michael S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Economic vote
Economics
European integration
European Union
Perception
Southern Europe
Voting trends
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Summary:Whereas economic perceptions influence the national vote in Western European countries, globalization, or international openness, conditions the influence of economic perceptions on that national vote. But how do attitudes toward the EU itself influence the economic vote? After establishing the presence of a national economic vote in Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal) we test the hypothesis that heightened perception of European Union economic responsibility reduces the magnitude of the national economic vote coefficient. These tests are carried out on current (2009) survey data, via logistic regression analysis of fully specified voting behavior models, estimated country-by-country and in a data pool. Clearly, the national economic vote diminishes, to the extent the EU is held responsible for the economy.
ISSN:0261-3794
1873-6890
DOI:10.1016/j.electstud.2012.02.004