Regional identity in a European context: A quantitative study exploring how regional attachment influences EU support in France

Abstract: This thesis explores the relationship between regional identity and its influence on EU support. Going beyond the common focus on decentralized countries or entire European contexts, the research specifically examines the influence of regional identity within the more unitary state of France. Building on established theory linking identity to EU support, the study distinguishes between exclusive and inclusive regionalists, anticipating that exclusive regionalists are less likely to support the EU, while inclusive regionalists are more likely to express support. Utilizing data from the EVS and the Eurobarometer, a multiple regression analysis is employed to test the relationship. The analysis does not find evidence that individuals with exclusive regional attachment are less inclined to support the EU, suggesting a sense of ambivalence in their attitudes towards the EU. However, it does yield statistically significant support for the second hypothesis, indicating that individuals with inclusive regional attachment are more likely to support the EU.