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EU enlargement and satisfaction with democracy: a peculiar case of immiserizing growth

Author

Listed:
  • Barbara Dluhosch

    (Helmut Schmidt University – University FAF Hamburg)

  • Daniel Horgos

    (Helmut Schmidt University – University FAF Hamburg)

  • Klaus W. Zimmermann

    (Helmut Schmidt University – University FAF Hamburg)

Abstract

Studies on EU enlargement mostly focus on its welfare-economic and much less so on its public-choice dimension. Yet, the latter may be as important as the former when it comes to sustain integration. This paper aims at filling the gap by exploring theoretically and empirically how enlargement of multi-level systems like the EU affects satisfaction with democracy . In order to assess the effects of a widening in membership, we present a novel approach that draws on the probability of being outvoted. We find that, given the institutional arrangement, enlargement tends to depress satisfaction with democracy. Our theoretical results are backed by panel-data evidence for six European economies displaying a significant decline in satisfaction with democracy with growth in EU-membership.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbara Dluhosch & Daniel Horgos & Klaus W. Zimmermann, 2016. "EU enlargement and satisfaction with democracy: a peculiar case of immiserizing growth," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 273-298, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:copoec:v:27:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s10602-015-9202-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10602-015-9202-6
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    European Union; Enlargement; Multi-level systems; Democracy; Regime satisfaction;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • F55 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Institutional Arrangements
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism

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