Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/207222 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 7831
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
There is little causal evidence about deep-rooted sources of support for shifting power from nation-states to international organizations. Focusing on the European Union, this paper develops the hypothesis that citizens appreciate the role of international organizations in constraining member-states the more, the more negatively their region was historically affected by the actions of nation-states. For identification, I use the historically homogeneous regions of Alsace and Lorraine in France as a natural experiment. A municipal level geographical regression discontinuity design documents that more negative exposure led to persistently higher EU support in three important referenda and less success of Eurosceptic parties in parliamentary elections. This effect is not driven by linguistic differences, migration, socio-economic factors or public good provision, but linked to a stronger European identity. This stronger identity is neither explained by perceived economic benefits, nor comes at the expense of a weaker national or regional identity.
Subjects: 
international organizations
nation-states
repression
persistence
group identity
European Union support
Euroscepticism
European identity
JEL: 
D70
F50
H70
N24
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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