Research Article
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Socio-Economic and Regional Determinants of EU Ignorance in Turkiye

Year 2023, Issue: 68, 20 - 29, 20.12.2023
https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1243897

Abstract

The European Union is mostly criticized for its so-called democracy deficit. To tackle this, citizens are expected to have information about European integration so that they can make conscious choices. Nevertheless, it has been well documented in research conducted over the years that EU citizens are generally ignorant of the EU. This study aims to investigate the factors underpinning the lack of EU knowledge. Although socio-economic and demographic factors affecting EU ignorance in European countries have been investigated in previous studies, the factors affecting the EU knowledge level of Turkish people has only been examined in one study in the literature, which failed to include the regions (cities) variable. To close this gap, this research examines the effects of regions (cities) in Turkey on the EU ignorance by controlling for other variables frequently mentioned in previous research. In order to run the analysis, data from Eurobarometer 93.1 and 94.3 surveys were used and binary logistic regression was employed as a method of analysis because of the dichotomous nature of the dependent variable. The results of the two regression models show that citizens living in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and Gaziantep are less likely to be ignorant of the EU than those living in other cities. Moreover, in both models, the regions (cities) variable is a stronger factor than factors such as age, education, occupation, gender, and political opinion.

Project Number

yok

References

  • Anderson, Christopher J. (1998). When in doubt, use proxies: attitudes toward domestic politics and support for European integration. Comparative Political Studies, 31 (5), 569-601. https://doi.org/10.1177/0010414098031005002 google scholar
  • Boomgaarden, H. G., Schuck, A. R. T., Elenbaas, M., & de Vreese, C. H. (2011). Mapping EU attitudes: conceptual and empirical dimensions of Euroscepticism and EU support. European Union Politics, 12(2), 241-266. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116510395411 google scholar
  • Carey, S. (2002). Undivided loyalties: is national identity an obstacle to European integration? European Union Politics, 3(4): 387-413. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116502003004001 google scholar
  • Carl, N., Richards, L., & Heath, A. (2019). Leave and remain voters’ knowledge of the EU after the referendum of 2016. Electoral Studies, 57 (June 2018), 90-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2018.11.003 google scholar
  • Clark, N. (2014). The EU ’s information deficit: comparing political knowledge across levels of governance. Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 15 (4), 445-463. https://doi.org/10.1080/15705854.2014.896158 google scholar
  • De Vreese, C. H., & Boomgaarden, H. G. (2006). Media effects on public opinion about the enlargement of the European union. Journal of Common Market Studies, 44(2), 419-436. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5965.2006.00629.x google scholar
  • European Commission, Brussels (2021): Eurobarometer 93.1 (2020). GESIS Data Archive, Cologne. ZA7649 Data file Version 1.2.0, https://doi.org/10.4232/1.13746 google scholar
  • European Commission, Brussels (2021). Eurobarometer 94.3 (2021). GESIS Data Archive, Cologne. ZA7780 Data file Version 1.0.0, https://doi.org/10.4232/1.13793. google scholar
  • Fanoulis, E. (2018). Knowledge of the EU and citizen participation in European governance: an agonistic democracy perspective. European Politics and Society, 19(1), 35-48. https://doi.org/10.1080/23745118.2017.1319154 google scholar
  • Gabel, M. (1998). Public support for European Integration: an empirical test of five theories. The Journal of Politics, The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Southern Political Science Association, 60 (2), 333-354. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/i345536 google scholar
  • Gabel, M., & Hix, S. (2005). Understanding public support for British membership of the single currency. Political Studies, 53 (1), 65-81. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9248.2005.00517.x google scholar
  • Hakhverdian, A., Elsas, E. Van., Brug, W. Van Der., & Kuhn, T. (2010). Euroscepticism and education: a longitudinal study of twelve EU member states, 1973-2010. Gini Discussion Paper, 92(August 2013), 1-44. Retrieved from www.gini-research.org. google scholar
  • Hayo, B. (1999). Knowledge and attitude towards European monetary union. Journal of Policy Modeling,21(5):641-651. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-8938(97)00160-9 google scholar
  • Hellstrom, J. (2008). Who leads, who follows? re-examining the party-electorate linkages on European integration. Journal of European Public Policy, 15(8), 1127-1144. https://doi.org/10.1080/13501760802407649 google scholar
  • Hobolt, Sara B. (2007). Taking cues on Europe? voter competence and party endorsements in referendums on European integration. European Journal of Political Research, 46 (2), 151-182. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6765.2006.00688.x google scholar
  • Hobolt, Sara B. (2012). Citizen satisfaction with democracy in the European Union. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 50(S1), 88-105. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5965.2011.02229.x google scholar
  • Hobolt, S. B., & De Vries, C. E. (2016). Public support for European integration. Annual Review of Political Science, 19(June), 413-432. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-polisci-042214-044157 google scholar
  • Hooghe, L., & Marks, G. (2004). Does identity or economic rationality drive public opinion on European integration? PS: Political Science and Politics, 37(3), 415-420. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/4488854 google scholar
  • Hooghe, L., & Marks, G. (2005). Calculation, community and cues: public opinion on European integration. European Union Politics, 6(4), 419-443. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116505057816 google scholar
  • Inglehart, R. (1970). Cognitive mobilization and European identity. Comparative Politics, 3(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.2307/421501 google scholar
  • Janssen, J. I. H. (1991), Postmaterialism, cognitive mobilization and public support for European integration, British Journal of Political Science, 21 (4) 443-468. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007123400006256 google scholar
  • Kentmen, C. (2010). Mass media use and citizens’ knowledge about the EU: the Turkish case. Turkish Studies, 11 (4), 625-641. https://doi.org/10.1080/14683849.2010.540117 google scholar
  • Luedtke, A. (2005). European integration, public opinion and immigration policy: testing the impact of national identity. European Union Politics, 6(1), 83-112. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116505049609 google scholar
  • Lupia, A. (2015). Busy voters, agenda control, and the power of information. The American Political Science Review, 86 (2), 390-403. https://doi.org/10.2307/1964228 google scholar
  • Maier, J., & Rittberger, B. (2008). Shifting Europe’s boundaries: mass media, public opinion and the enlargement of the EU. European Union Politics, 9(2), 243-267. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116508089087 google scholar
  • McLaren, L. M. (2002). Public support for the European union: cost/benefit analysis or perceived cultural threat? Journal of Politics, 64(2), 551-566. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2508.00139 google scholar
  • Mccormick, J. (2014). Voting on Europe: the potential pitfalls of a British referendum. Political Quarterly, 85(2), 212-219. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-923X.12078 google scholar
  • Nelsen, B. F., Guth, J. L., & Highsmith, B. (2011). Does religion still matter? religion and public attitudes toward integration in Europe. Politics and Religion, 4(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755048310000507 google scholar
  • Rapeli, L. (2014). Comparing local, national and EU knowledge: the ignorant public reassessed. Scandinavian Political Studies, 37 (4), 428-446. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9477.12032 google scholar
  • Slavtcheva-Petkova, V. (2015). Towards a sociology of the EU: the relationship between socio-economic status and ethnicity and young people’s European knowledge, attitudes and identities. Young, 23 (3), 222-239. https://doi.org/10.1177/1103308815584878 google scholar
  • Vliegenthart, R., Schuck, A. R. T., Boomgaarden, H. G., & De Vreese, C. H. (2008). News coverage and support for European integration, 1990-2006. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 20 (4), 415-416. https://doi.org/10.1093/ypor/edn044 google scholar
Year 2023, Issue: 68, 20 - 29, 20.12.2023
https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1243897

Abstract

Supporting Institution

yok

Project Number

yok

References

  • Anderson, Christopher J. (1998). When in doubt, use proxies: attitudes toward domestic politics and support for European integration. Comparative Political Studies, 31 (5), 569-601. https://doi.org/10.1177/0010414098031005002 google scholar
  • Boomgaarden, H. G., Schuck, A. R. T., Elenbaas, M., & de Vreese, C. H. (2011). Mapping EU attitudes: conceptual and empirical dimensions of Euroscepticism and EU support. European Union Politics, 12(2), 241-266. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116510395411 google scholar
  • Carey, S. (2002). Undivided loyalties: is national identity an obstacle to European integration? European Union Politics, 3(4): 387-413. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116502003004001 google scholar
  • Carl, N., Richards, L., & Heath, A. (2019). Leave and remain voters’ knowledge of the EU after the referendum of 2016. Electoral Studies, 57 (June 2018), 90-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2018.11.003 google scholar
  • Clark, N. (2014). The EU ’s information deficit: comparing political knowledge across levels of governance. Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 15 (4), 445-463. https://doi.org/10.1080/15705854.2014.896158 google scholar
  • De Vreese, C. H., & Boomgaarden, H. G. (2006). Media effects on public opinion about the enlargement of the European union. Journal of Common Market Studies, 44(2), 419-436. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5965.2006.00629.x google scholar
  • European Commission, Brussels (2021): Eurobarometer 93.1 (2020). GESIS Data Archive, Cologne. ZA7649 Data file Version 1.2.0, https://doi.org/10.4232/1.13746 google scholar
  • European Commission, Brussels (2021). Eurobarometer 94.3 (2021). GESIS Data Archive, Cologne. ZA7780 Data file Version 1.0.0, https://doi.org/10.4232/1.13793. google scholar
  • Fanoulis, E. (2018). Knowledge of the EU and citizen participation in European governance: an agonistic democracy perspective. European Politics and Society, 19(1), 35-48. https://doi.org/10.1080/23745118.2017.1319154 google scholar
  • Gabel, M. (1998). Public support for European Integration: an empirical test of five theories. The Journal of Politics, The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Southern Political Science Association, 60 (2), 333-354. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/i345536 google scholar
  • Gabel, M., & Hix, S. (2005). Understanding public support for British membership of the single currency. Political Studies, 53 (1), 65-81. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9248.2005.00517.x google scholar
  • Hakhverdian, A., Elsas, E. Van., Brug, W. Van Der., & Kuhn, T. (2010). Euroscepticism and education: a longitudinal study of twelve EU member states, 1973-2010. Gini Discussion Paper, 92(August 2013), 1-44. Retrieved from www.gini-research.org. google scholar
  • Hayo, B. (1999). Knowledge and attitude towards European monetary union. Journal of Policy Modeling,21(5):641-651. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-8938(97)00160-9 google scholar
  • Hellstrom, J. (2008). Who leads, who follows? re-examining the party-electorate linkages on European integration. Journal of European Public Policy, 15(8), 1127-1144. https://doi.org/10.1080/13501760802407649 google scholar
  • Hobolt, Sara B. (2007). Taking cues on Europe? voter competence and party endorsements in referendums on European integration. European Journal of Political Research, 46 (2), 151-182. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6765.2006.00688.x google scholar
  • Hobolt, Sara B. (2012). Citizen satisfaction with democracy in the European Union. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 50(S1), 88-105. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5965.2011.02229.x google scholar
  • Hobolt, S. B., & De Vries, C. E. (2016). Public support for European integration. Annual Review of Political Science, 19(June), 413-432. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-polisci-042214-044157 google scholar
  • Hooghe, L., & Marks, G. (2004). Does identity or economic rationality drive public opinion on European integration? PS: Political Science and Politics, 37(3), 415-420. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/4488854 google scholar
  • Hooghe, L., & Marks, G. (2005). Calculation, community and cues: public opinion on European integration. European Union Politics, 6(4), 419-443. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116505057816 google scholar
  • Inglehart, R. (1970). Cognitive mobilization and European identity. Comparative Politics, 3(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.2307/421501 google scholar
  • Janssen, J. I. H. (1991), Postmaterialism, cognitive mobilization and public support for European integration, British Journal of Political Science, 21 (4) 443-468. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007123400006256 google scholar
  • Kentmen, C. (2010). Mass media use and citizens’ knowledge about the EU: the Turkish case. Turkish Studies, 11 (4), 625-641. https://doi.org/10.1080/14683849.2010.540117 google scholar
  • Luedtke, A. (2005). European integration, public opinion and immigration policy: testing the impact of national identity. European Union Politics, 6(1), 83-112. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116505049609 google scholar
  • Lupia, A. (2015). Busy voters, agenda control, and the power of information. The American Political Science Review, 86 (2), 390-403. https://doi.org/10.2307/1964228 google scholar
  • Maier, J., & Rittberger, B. (2008). Shifting Europe’s boundaries: mass media, public opinion and the enlargement of the EU. European Union Politics, 9(2), 243-267. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116508089087 google scholar
  • McLaren, L. M. (2002). Public support for the European union: cost/benefit analysis or perceived cultural threat? Journal of Politics, 64(2), 551-566. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2508.00139 google scholar
  • Mccormick, J. (2014). Voting on Europe: the potential pitfalls of a British referendum. Political Quarterly, 85(2), 212-219. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-923X.12078 google scholar
  • Nelsen, B. F., Guth, J. L., & Highsmith, B. (2011). Does religion still matter? religion and public attitudes toward integration in Europe. Politics and Religion, 4(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755048310000507 google scholar
  • Rapeli, L. (2014). Comparing local, national and EU knowledge: the ignorant public reassessed. Scandinavian Political Studies, 37 (4), 428-446. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9477.12032 google scholar
  • Slavtcheva-Petkova, V. (2015). Towards a sociology of the EU: the relationship between socio-economic status and ethnicity and young people’s European knowledge, attitudes and identities. Young, 23 (3), 222-239. https://doi.org/10.1177/1103308815584878 google scholar
  • Vliegenthart, R., Schuck, A. R. T., Boomgaarden, H. G., & De Vreese, C. H. (2008). News coverage and support for European integration, 1990-2006. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 20 (4), 415-416. https://doi.org/10.1093/ypor/edn044 google scholar
There are 31 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Sociology
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Mücahit Aslan 0000-0001-9126-7592

Project Number yok
Publication Date December 20, 2023
Submission Date January 28, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Issue: 68

Cite

APA Aslan, M. (2023). Socio-Economic and Regional Determinants of EU Ignorance in Turkiye. Journal of Economy Culture and Society(68), 20-29. https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1243897
AMA Aslan M. Socio-Economic and Regional Determinants of EU Ignorance in Turkiye. Journal of Economy Culture and Society. December 2023;(68):20-29. doi:10.26650/JECS2023-1243897
Chicago Aslan, Mücahit. “Socio-Economic and Regional Determinants of EU Ignorance in Turkiye”. Journal of Economy Culture and Society, no. 68 (December 2023): 20-29. https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1243897.
EndNote Aslan M (December 1, 2023) Socio-Economic and Regional Determinants of EU Ignorance in Turkiye. Journal of Economy Culture and Society 68 20–29.
IEEE M. Aslan, “Socio-Economic and Regional Determinants of EU Ignorance in Turkiye”, Journal of Economy Culture and Society, no. 68, pp. 20–29, December 2023, doi: 10.26650/JECS2023-1243897.
ISNAD Aslan, Mücahit. “Socio-Economic and Regional Determinants of EU Ignorance in Turkiye”. Journal of Economy Culture and Society 68 (December 2023), 20-29. https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1243897.
JAMA Aslan M. Socio-Economic and Regional Determinants of EU Ignorance in Turkiye. Journal of Economy Culture and Society. 2023;:20–29.
MLA Aslan, Mücahit. “Socio-Economic and Regional Determinants of EU Ignorance in Turkiye”. Journal of Economy Culture and Society, no. 68, 2023, pp. 20-29, doi:10.26650/JECS2023-1243897.
Vancouver Aslan M. Socio-Economic and Regional Determinants of EU Ignorance in Turkiye. Journal of Economy Culture and Society. 2023(68):20-9.