Representation through the eyes of the voter: a cost-benefit analysis of European integration

Gabriela Borz

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

This article explains variation in the quality of representation in the context of European Parliament elections. Specifically, it clarifies how voters relate to political parties on the issue of European integration and whether they are represented, misrepresented or indifferent to this issue. The analysis shows that perceived benefits of European integration do drive a perfect voter-party match while perceived costs, when high, drive a perfect match between Eurosceptic voters and likeminded parties and make voters less indifferent. The analysis draws attention to the high number of status-quo voters who, in the absence of a party with similar views, could channel their vote towards a party promoting integration, but only if their knowledge about the EU and its benefits increases.
LanguageEnglish
Pages175-197
Number of pages23
JournalItalian Political Science Review
Volume46
Issue number02
Early online date10 May 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Jul 2016

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cost-benefit analysis
European integration
voter
European Parliament
EU
election
costs

Keywords

  • substantive representation
  • European integration
  • European parliament elections

Cite this

Borz, Gabriela. / Representation through the eyes of the voter : a cost-benefit analysis of European integration. In: Italian Political Science Review. 2016 ; Vol. 46, No. 02. pp. 175-197.
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Borz, G 2016, 'Representation through the eyes of the voter: a cost-benefit analysis of European integration' Italian Political Science Review, vol. 46, no. 02, pp. 175-197. https://doi.org/10.1017/ipo.2016.8

Representation through the eyes of the voter : a cost-benefit analysis of European integration. / Borz, Gabriela.

In: Italian Political Science Review, Vol. 46, No. 02, 31.07.2016, p. 175-197.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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Borz G. Representation through the eyes of the voter: a cost-benefit analysis of European integration. Italian Political Science Review. 2016 Jul 31;46(02):175-197. https://doi.org/10.1017/ipo.2016.8

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