Euroscepticism and the Perception of Benefits

Abstract: Since Denmark's ?no? to the Maastricht treaty in 1992, public opinion and support for European Integration has been the subject of increasing study. Now that referendums play a greater role in the construction of the European Union, as demonstrated by the forthcoming ratification of the European Constitution, European leaders are finding it necessary to pay more attention to Eurosceptic factions and public opinion. Their presence in the political arena has the ability to slow or even halt the process of European Integration. Whether integration continues or not, and in what fashion, is becoming increasingly dependent on European citizens and their attitudes to the EU. The appointment of Margot Walstrom as Commissioner for Institutions Public Relations and Communication Strategy has demonstrated the Commissions desire to garner public support for the EU and its initiatives. This study gives a vital understanding of the public's attitudes to the EU and specifically of Popular Euroscepticism, possibly the biggest threat to the continuation of integration since the stagnation of the early 1980s. It introduces the reader to three factors that are commonly associated with the formation of Euroscepticism; 'Knowledge?, ?Identity? and ?Benefits?. A social constructivist approach to EU membership then provides further identification of ?Perception of Benefits? as a causal variable in the formation of a Euroscepticism. However, an empirical investigation of public opinion follows but does not support the theoretical deduction.