The Examination on the British Attitudes toward the European Parliament : Focusing on Political Trust

Abstract

This study examines the factors that influence political trust toward the European Parliament (EP) among the British. Based on the symbolic politics theory and economic interest-based theory, we run empirical analysis utilizing the European Social Survey (Round 6). The results show that first, the British tend to have lower level of political trust toward the EP compared to individuals in other EU member states; second, both the symbolic politics theory and economic interest-based theory well explain the British trust toward the EP. In particular, it is found that satisfaction with national economic situation and positive perception toward the European integration play an important role in the formation of trust toward the EP.