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All spending is not equal: European Union public spending, policy feedback and citizens’ support for the EU
[journal article]
Abstract While public support is central to the problem-solving capacity of the European Union, we know little about when and why the EU can increase its citizens’ support through spending. Extensive research finds that citizens living in countries that are net beneficiaries of the EU budget are more support... view more
While public support is central to the problem-solving capacity of the European Union, we know little about when and why the EU can increase its citizens’ support through spending. Extensive research finds that citizens living in countries that are net beneficiaries of the EU budget are more supportive of the EU, assuming that citizens care equally about all forms of spending. It is argued in this article, however, that the amount of spending is only part of the story. Understanding the effects of spending on support requires a consideration of how transfers are spent. Drawing on policy feedback theories in comparative politics, it is shown that support for the EU is a function of the fit between the spending area and economic need in individuals’ immediate living context. Results from a statistical analysis of EU spending on human capital, infrastructure, agriculture, energy and environmental protection in 127 EU regions over the period 2001–2011 corroborate this argument. As the EU and other international organisations become increasingly publicly contested, the organisations themselves may increasingly try to shore up public support through spending, but they will only be successful under specific conditions.... view less
Keywords
legitimacy; public expenditures; political support; EU; human capital; infrastructure; agriculture; energy; environment; policy area; multi-level analysis
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
European Politics
Free Keywords
European Structural and Investment Funds; policy feedback; public spending; public support; Eurobarometer 56.1 (2001); 60.1 (2003); 61.0 (2004); 62.0 (2004); 63.4 (2004); 64.2 (2005); 65.2 (2006); 66.1 (2006); 68.1 (2007); 69.2 (2008); 701. (2008); 71.1 (2009; 71.3 (2009); 72.4 (2009); 73.4 (2010); 74.2 (2010); 75.3 (2011)
Document language
English
Publication Year
2018
Page/Pages
p. 3-23
Journal
European Journal of Political Research, 57 (2018) 1
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6765.12215
ISSN
1475-6765
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed