A rising generation of Europeans? Life‐cycle and cohort effects on support for 'Europe'. (19th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Down, Ian; Wilson, Carole J.
• Is Part Of: European journal of political research. Volume 52:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 431
• Page End: 456
• Publication Date: 2012-11-19
• Subjects: Political science -- Research -- Europe -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1111/1475-6765.12001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-4130

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Despite much research on age and attitudes, it remains unclear whether age reflects accumulated life experience or conditions prevailing during an individual's formative years – that is, a <italic>life‐cycle</italic> effect or a <italic>cohort</italic> effect. In respect to attitudes towards the European Union (EU), the issue is particularly important. Although many analyses indicate a correlation between age and support, the relationship has not been adequately theorised and extant analyses have generated contradictory results. In this article, theoretical expectations for both life‐cycle and cohort effects on support for the EU are developed and tested using a cross random effects model. This not only identifies the nature of an age‐support relationship, but also highlights substantial generational differences in attitudes towards European integration and explains the inconsistencies in extant empirical analyses.</p> </abstract>