Diversity and welfare state legitimacy in Europe. The challenge of intra-EU migration. Issue 9 (2nd September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cappelen, Cornelius; Peters, Yvette
• Is Part Of: Journal of European public policy. Volume 25:Issue 9(2018)
• Page Start: 1336
• Page End: 1356
• Publication Date: 2018-09-02
• Subjects: European Union -- immigration -- welfare state -- welfare state legitimacy; European Union countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Political planning -- European Union countries -- Periodicals; Politique publique -- Pays de l'Union européenne -- Périodiques; Pays de l'Union européenne -- Politique et gouvernement -- Périodiques; 361.61094
• DOI: 10.1080/13501763.2017.1314534
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-1763

Abstract

ABSTRACT: It has convincingly been argued that in the United States, immigration is detrimental to welfare state support. In Europe, on the other hand, there is little evidence for such a negative relationship. This article examines whether a particular type of immigration – rapidly escalating intra-European Union (EU) immigration – reduces public support for the welfare state. We argue that because EU states cannot discriminate against resident EU nationals from other countries in the field of social security, intra-EU immigration will negatively affect attitudes towards welfare spending. To test this expectation, we use data from the European Social Survey of 2008, among other sources. The results of our multilevel analyses document a negative relationship between intra-EU immigration and welfare state support, supporting our hypothesis.