Work

Conclusion – external threat and internal divisions: How the war in Ukraine shapes mass politics in the EU

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: I review this Special Section in three steps. First, I summarize the theoretical framework, contrasting bellicist and polity-maintenance perspectives on how outside threats such as the war in Ukraine affect the mass politics of EU integration. Second, I report findings about public attitudes and party positions on the war and the EU's reactions to it. The articles show a broad permissive consensus on more policy integration, and a modest ‘Europeanization’ of party-political messaging. Third, I compare findings on four major explanatory variables: threat perceptions, country-level differences, individual identity and political ideology. The articles show a unifying effect of the war on European mass publics. The remaining disunity is mostly within, not between member states. I conclude with some speculative notes on the future of European unity.

Source: European Union Politics

DOI: 10.1177/14651165251318963

Author: Philipp Genschel

Institution: University of Bremen

Language: English

Topic: European Union Policy and Governance

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650