| dc.citation.doi | This study explores if the multi-level system in Europe can be seen as
challenging both traditional state roles and the European integration process,
since territorial identity by some is expected to be important for legitimacy and
solidarity. The author argues the relevance of taking into account all levels of
the multi-level system and shifting the focus from the level of the system to the
individuals who live in it, and therefore investigates the influence of individuals’
territorial attachments on political trust and welfare attitudes.
Incorporating theoretical insights from various research disciplines, three
challenges are put forward concerning 1) multi-level territorial attachments, 2)
their effect on political trust, and 3) the effect on welfare attitudes. Moreover,
these relationships may be influenced by different institutional contexts.
Empirically, these challenges are investigated by analyzing two different types
of data sets, combining comparative opinion data from all the EU member
states with more detailed data from Sweden.
The results indicate that neither the territorial attachments themselves,
nor their impact on political trust, constitute a challenge to the role of the
state (or to the continuation of European integration). Rather, the European
multi-level system seems to have enhanced both attachment to and trust in
a number of territorial levels, including the states and the EU. However, the
relationship between multi-level territorial attachments and welfare attitudes
is of more concern, with possible difficulties to sustain support for the welfare
state if the majority of people would have strong attachments to territorial
levels other than the state. Moreover, there is no indication of a demand for a
“social Europe”. In this regard, the European multi-level system may challenge
the traditional role of the (welfare) state, but without offering any immediate
alternative at the European level. Finally, the results indicate the relevance of
taking into account the institutional context, not least regarding the variation
of EU member states’ experience of the multi-level system. | |
