Group Conflict Theory and European Integration

Abstract

Utilitarian theory explains support for European integration in terms of how each individual benefits from integration; alternatively, it explains opposition to integration by arguing that some individuals lose in this integrative process. Or — at the very least — people perceive that they are likely to win or lose, and this perception fundamentally depends upon their socio-economic position in life. As should be apparent, this approach is extremely individualistic in nature. In addition, the evidence presented in Chapter 3 indicates that the standard utilitarian predictors are not all that powerful in explaining variation in attitudes toward the European Union, nor perceptions of specific costs and benefits to the individual provided by integration. Moreover, in most of the EU member states, the majority of the population does not seem to think they personally have benefited or lost from the integration process. In this chapter, we move away from these individualistic, utilitarian approaches and present an alternative theory that focuses on group-level interests. This alternative approach stems from a body of literature grounded in group conflict theory.