Type of Document Master's Thesis Author Aldrich, Andrea Stephanie Author's Email Address aldrich.andrea@gmail.com URN etd-04152009-143419 Title "Ignorant and Confused?" Knowledge and Awareness as Determinants of Euroskepticism Degree Master of Arts Department Political Science Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title Dr. William Downs Committee Chair Dr. Charles Hankla Committee Member Dr. Jelena Subotic Committee Member Keywords
- Knowledge
- Awareness
- European Integration
- Euroskepticism
Date of Defense 2009-04-06 Availability unrestricted Abstract This thesis seeks to explain Euroskeptic attitudes by examining the relationship between information and Euroskepticism and the role of Euroskepticism in the post-enlargement integration debate. Drawing upon data from the Eurobarometer survey series and the European Election Studies, this thesis tests the relationship between information and attitudes towards membership, the direction of integration, and voting. This analysis concludes the roles of knowledge and awareness have divergent influences on hard and soft Euroskepticism. While increased knowledge increases support for membership in the EU, increased awareness decreases support for the direction of integration. This conclusion suggests that knowledge initially informs individuals of the benefits of being a member in the EU but greater awareness increases the likelihood they will be a harsher critic of the way in which it is developing, necessitating further examination of the role of the Euroskeptic movement in public opinion.
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