EUROSCEPTICISM IN THE WESTERN BALKANS: A CAUSE FOR CONCERN? A micro-level analysis using cross-sectional data of Euroscepticism in the Western Balkan EUcandidate countries.

Abstract

This Bachelor’s thesis aims to contribute to the micro-level research on socio-demographic and attitudinal factors to Euroscepticism in the 4 Western Balkan candidate countries using a quantitative framework with cross-sectional data. The thesis focuses on utilitarian, political and identity-based factors. The hypotheses of this thesis were built around previous research on Euroscepticism in the WB candidate countries, Euroscepticism in the former Eastern European candidate states, the EU member states’ and research on economic voting. The results of this thesis indicated that all three of the factors researched had some levels of significance. Sociotropic utilitarian factors were shown to be stronger in predicting Euroscepticism than egocentric ones, higher levels of perceived internal political inefficacy at a country-level showed to increase levels Euroscepticism and individuals who identified with both Europe and its country were shown to be less Eurosceptic than those who only identified with Europe, those who only identified with their country were shown to be more Eurosceptic than both. Identity-based factors were shown to be strongest predictors of Euroscepticism. Albanians were indicated to be the least Eurosceptic nationality, whilst Serbians could in some instances be indicated to be the most.