Dynamic Representation : The Case of European Integration

Schmitt, Hermann ; Thomassen, Jacques J. A.

URL:	http://edoc.vifapol.de/opus/volltexte/2014/5115/pd...
Additional URL:	http://www.mzes.uni-mannheim.de/publications/wp/wp...
Document Type:	Working paper
Year of publication:	2000
The title of a journal, publication series:	Arbeitspapiere / Mannheimer Zentrum für Europäische Sozialforschung = Working papers
Volume:	21
Place of publication:	Mannheim
ISSN:	1437-8574
Publication language:	English
Institution:	Außerfakultäre Einrichtungen > Mannheim Centre for European Social Research - Research Department B
Subject:	320 Political science
Abstract:	This paper asks two questions. First, why are party voters less favourable towards specific EU policies than party elites? Second, how does political representation of EU preferences actually work, is it an elite- or a mass-driven process? The data-sets of the European Election Studies 1979 and 1994 are analysed which involve both an elite and a mass survey component. In contrast to earlier research, it appears that political representation of EU preferences works rather well regarding the grand directions of policy making, and that party elites behave responsively in view of changing EU preferences among their voters.