Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/18099 
Year of Publication: 
2004
Series/Report no.: 
DIW Discussion Papers No. 403
Publisher: 
Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW), Berlin
Abstract: 
This paper investigates the attitudes towards the Euro and their changes over time in Germany by using longitudinal micro data from the German Socio Economic Panel Study (SOEP). We observe that a large part of the German population was worried about the new currency before its implementation. Individual changes of worries can be explained by theories of selfperception and cognitive dissonance. According to these theories, concerns should diminish after the Euro notes and coins are distributed. In contrast, the theory of reactance predicts an increase, while the theories of attitude changes as learning processes offer both its increase and decrease. The latter seems to be the most suitable explanation for the development of concerns about the Euro. We discover that problems with the handling of the new money and the time of questioning are strong predictors. The time pattern goes hand in hand with the time of press coverage on price rises. As worries are connected with problems in handling the new money, future member states of the European Monetary Union should prepare their population in a better manner than the existing member states did.
Subjects: 
Euro
European Union
Attitudes
Changes of Attitudes
National Identity
JEL: 
A14
E49
D83
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
611.52 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.