Multilevel Governance
Euroscepticism and the Financial Crisis
Marloes Bas
1871994
04-12-2012
Master Political Science
EU Politics and Multilevel Governance
B. Crum & T. Lenz
Inhoudsopgave I. Introduction 3 II. Theoretical Framework 4 2.1 Euroscepticism 4 2.2 Sources of Euroscepticism 5 2.3 Party Euroscepticism 5 2.4 Are these causes likely to be strengthened by the financial crisis 6 III. Literature 7
Introduction
Over the last few years the process of European integration is getting more and more criticized by the European citizens. Public concerns about the European Union are increasing these days and the current financial crisis is not making this any better. European citizens are suffering from high unemployment, government’s cuts on budgets and they have less to spend in their daily life.
Serricchio et al. (2012) have studied the influence of the financial crisis on Euroscepticism across the member states. They have come to the final conclusion that the economic crisis has not substantially influenced Euroscepticism directly, however Euroscepticism has significantly increased in the states most affected by the financial crisis (Serricchio, 2012).
Euroscepticism has raised many questions among scholars about the actual influence of Euro skeptical Europeans and parties in political party systems. As Taggart (1998:364) argues; West-European party systems are influenced by the phenomenon Euroscepticism. Eurosceptic parties are being more successful in the last few years. This paper will research if the success of these parties is influenced by the current financial crisis.
This raises the question if people that are skeptic about European integration really vote for radical parties that align with their opinions.
The research question for this paper will be the following: “To what extend does the financial crisis increase support for Eurosceptic Parties?”
Figure1 |
Theoretical Framework
1.1 Euroscepticism
Marloes Bas
1871994
04-12-2012
Master Political Science
EU Politics and Multilevel Governance
B. Crum & T. Lenz
Inhoudsopgave I. Introduction 3 II. Theoretical Framework 4 2.1 Euroscepticism 4 2.2 Sources of Euroscepticism 5 2.3 Party Euroscepticism 5 2.4 Are these causes likely to be strengthened by the financial crisis 6 III. Literature 7
Introduction
Over the last few years the process of European integration is getting more and more criticized by the European citizens. Public concerns about the European Union are increasing these days and the current financial crisis is not making this any better. European citizens are suffering from high unemployment, government’s cuts on budgets and they have less to spend in their daily life.
Serricchio et al. (2012) have studied the influence of the financial crisis on Euroscepticism across the member states. They have come to the final conclusion that the economic crisis has not substantially influenced Euroscepticism directly, however Euroscepticism has significantly increased in the states most affected by the financial crisis (Serricchio, 2012).
Euroscepticism has raised many questions among scholars about the actual influence of Euro skeptical Europeans and parties in political party systems. As Taggart (1998:364) argues; West-European party systems are influenced by the phenomenon Euroscepticism. Eurosceptic parties are being more successful in the last few years. This paper will research if the success of these parties is influenced by the current financial crisis.
This raises the question if people that are skeptic about European integration really vote for radical parties that align with their opinions.
The research question for this paper will be the following: “To what extend does the financial crisis increase support for Eurosceptic Parties?”
Figure1 |
Theoretical Framework
1.1 Euroscepticism