S43-S1 Geography of discontent: Explanations and policies
Tracks
Special Session
| Friday, August 30, 2019 |
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
| IUT_Room 205 |
Details
Convenor(s): Jorge Díaz Lanchas / Chair: Jorge Díaz Lanchas
Speaker
Dr. Julia Bachtrögler-Unger
Post-Doc Researcher
Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO)
Euroscepticism and EU Cohesion Policy: The Impact of Micro-Level Policy Effectiveness on Voting Behaviour
Author(s) - Presenters are indicated with (p)
Julia Bachtrögler (p), Harald Oberhofer
Discussant for this paper
Jorge Díaz Lanchas
Abstract
This study investigates whether there is a link between the successful implementation of European cohesion policy and the voters' attitudes towards the EU. Using the French presidential elections in 2017 as a case study, we do not solely consider regional funds expenditures but also its induced effects in a region as further potential determinant of pro-European or eurosceptic voting behaviour. In order to measure the effectiveness of EU structural funds and Cohesion Fund assignment, firm-level employment effects in French NUTS-2 regions stemming from project allocation during the multi-financial framework 2007-2013 are estimated. The obtained average treatment effects are, in a next step, used together with other regional characteristics to capture the citizens' perceived exposure to the EU in an empirical voting model for the French presidential election in 2017. The estimation results reveal a significant negative relationship between the effectiveness of EU funds allocation and the vote share of the eurosceptic candidate Marine Le Pen.
Dr. Jorge Diaz Lanchas
Post-Doc Researcher
European Commission
Economic determinants or personal attitudes? Factors explaining the European regional backslash
Author(s) - Presenters are indicated with (p)
Jorge Diaz Lanchas (p), Filippo Di Pietro, Andrea Conte
Discussant for this paper
Julia Bachtrögler
Abstract
A new wave of regional and social discontent is challenging the European Union (EU). Multiple causes have been raised to explain the current and new wave of social misalignment with the European integration process. Going from economic-decline and inequality explanations to perceptions and cultural values theories, several works have put their efforts in disentangling the determinants leading this current European integration backslash.
In this paper we resort to survey data from the Eurobarometer 2018 to assess the role of the multiple causes shaping the regional and social preferences towards the EU, taking into account economic as well as cultural determinants. The use of Partial least Square indicators allows us to differentiate between direct and indirect effects (e.g. feedback effects among variables). We also argue that the regional discontent is not new but the result of a long-term trend that has more abruptly flourished in last years, even when there were previous signals of discontent across the EU regions. To test and confirm this hypothesis we take survey regional data from the Eurobarometer 2005 when the referendum on the European Constitution took place across the European countries.
In this paper we resort to survey data from the Eurobarometer 2018 to assess the role of the multiple causes shaping the regional and social preferences towards the EU, taking into account economic as well as cultural determinants. The use of Partial least Square indicators allows us to differentiate between direct and indirect effects (e.g. feedback effects among variables). We also argue that the regional discontent is not new but the result of a long-term trend that has more abruptly flourished in last years, even when there were previous signals of discontent across the EU regions. To test and confirm this hypothesis we take survey regional data from the Eurobarometer 2005 when the referendum on the European Constitution took place across the European countries.
