Becoming Europeans? Attitudes, behaviour and socialization in the European Parliament

Abstract:

This work aims to understand more fully the nature of the influence that European institutions, and particularly the European Parliament, have on the attitudes and behaviour of those people engaged with - or working for - such institutions.

The book is organised over six chapters. The first provides background to the study and the methodology employed. Chapter two offers a detailed introduction to the European Parliament (EP) and its membership. Chapter three addresses the yawning gap between empirical evidence and the widely held perception that those engaged with, or employed in, the European Parliament eventually ‘go native’. The fourth chapter explores the circumstances and socialisation processes which might influence MEPs’ perceived estrangement from the national political scene. Chapter five uses survey data to examine Parliamentarians’ opinions on a wide variety of matters related to the development of European integration. Chapter six then tests the extent to which attitudes translate into behaviour, and shows that empirical evidence does not support the perception that MEPs are seduced into following a European line rather than that of their national colleagues. The final chapter endorses that viewpoint as it concludes the work and goes on to discuss the broad implications arising from the study.

The work will interest scholars and students, policy researchers and policy makers engaged in European and legislative politics and provide enlightenment for Euro-sceptics.

Roger Scully is Senior Lecturer in European Politics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.