Support for the European Union in Central and Eastern Europe before and after Accession

This article analyses the importance of different attitudinal sources of generalized support for the European Union in eight member states in Central and Eastern Europe before and after accession. Instrumental calculations, normative evaluations as well as expressive feelings are key explanatory factors. The results of multiple regression analyses using Eurobarometer data from 2003 to 2006 reveal that the importance of instrumental reasons as predictors for generalized support decreases after accession, while the explanatory power of normative and expressive considerations is constant. The importance of norms and feelings should thus not be underestimated in the new member states.