From convergence to congruence: European integration and citizen-elite congruence
From convergence to congruence: European integration and citizen-elite congruence
Recent research argues that European integration has led to an ideological convergence of member state party systems, which is purported to have significant consequences for democratic representation. We argue that convergence of party positions is less problematic if congruence between governed and governing is maintained. We therefore turn to test whether integration has had an effect on congruence between the public and their governing elites. Using five measures of integration, two sources of public opinion data, and expert surveys on political parties, we find little evidence that integration into the European Union reduces congruence between the public and the national party system, government or legislature either ideologically or across five issue areas. These results should assuage concerns about integration’s effect on domestic political representation.
Devine, Daniel
6bfa5a27-1b58-4c61-8eb0-a7a40860a4ae
Ibenskas, Raimondas
160594d0-2151-4be5-8d77-90418186dbc1
Devine, Daniel
6bfa5a27-1b58-4c61-8eb0-a7a40860a4ae
Ibenskas, Raimondas
160594d0-2151-4be5-8d77-90418186dbc1
Devine, Daniel and Ibenskas, Raimondas
(2021)
From convergence to congruence: European integration and citizen-elite congruence.
European Union Politics, 22 (4).
(doi:10.1177/14651165211024936).
Abstract
Recent research argues that European integration has led to an ideological convergence of member state party systems, which is purported to have significant consequences for democratic representation. We argue that convergence of party positions is less problematic if congruence between governed and governing is maintained. We therefore turn to test whether integration has had an effect on congruence between the public and their governing elites. Using five measures of integration, two sources of public opinion data, and expert surveys on political parties, we find little evidence that integration into the European Union reduces congruence between the public and the national party system, government or legislature either ideologically or across five issue areas. These results should assuage concerns about integration’s effect on domestic political representation.
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e-pub ahead of print date: 29 June 2021
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Local EPrints ID: 479483
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/479483
ISSN: 1465-1165
PURE UUID: 32fe9010-caa9-46e6-9b36-3680d8df45b8
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Date deposited: 25 Jul 2023 16:37
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:58
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Author:
Daniel Devine
Author:
Raimondas Ibenskas
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