European solidarity and social class

In response to various crises and a growing Eurosceptic electorate, the European Union (EU) has taken steps to implement solidarity measures aimed at mitigating economic risks and inequalities among member states and their citizens. However, the social basis of support for such redistributive polici...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Ciornei, Irina|||0000-0002-8008-1335, Hernandez Sanchez, Alfredo|||0000-0001-7643-249X
Format: article
Publication Date:2024
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:290362
Online Access:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/290362
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1080/07036337.2024.2318550
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:European solidarity
Social class
Structural equation model
Exclusive nationalism
Redistribution
Description
Summary:In response to various crises and a growing Eurosceptic electorate, the European Union (EU) has taken steps to implement solidarity measures aimed at mitigating economic risks and inequalities among member states and their citizens. However, the social basis of support for such redistributive policies in a supranational context remains largely unexplored, despite the ongoing relevance of social class for crucial political outcomes related to European integration, such as Brexit and the growing electoral strength of radical right parties. To address this gap, this article distinguishes between transnational and member state solidarity, scrutinizing how the post-industrial division of social classes shapes these two dimensions of European solidarity. The research reveals that the post-industrial structure of social classes, taking into account both the economic and cultural divisions within social positions, significantly affects both forms of European solidarity, independent of attitudes toward redistribution and European integration. Furthermore, it highlights the limited impact of an exclusivist national identity and Euroscepticism on the endorsement of transnational solidarity for production workers, indicating the transformative potential of supranational redistribution in fostering political support and social cohesion among even the most disengaged segment of European citizens.