Geografie 2007, 112, 1-16

https://doi.org/10.37040/geografie2007112010001

Differentiated Support of the EU Enlargement in the Public Opinion: A Multivariate LISREL Analysis

Veronika Tománková

Katedra sociální geografie a regionálního rozvoje, Přírodovědecká fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czechia

This paper provides an analysis of the public opinion in the EU countries concerning further enlargement. Public opinion plays an important role in the current integration processes and is an integral part of the research concerning the European Union. The differentiation in the support for the EU enlargement across 25 countries can be explained by the multivariate LISREL (linear structural equations) analysis that makes possible to identify a causal system through the explanatory model. The model includes structural and public opinion variables in the set of the twenty-five EU member states. Multivariate statistical analysis shows a low public opinion support for the EU enlargement in rich states and, on the other hand, a clear support in a group of post-communist member states.