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The geography of EU discontent and the regional development trap

Author

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  • Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés
  • Dijkstra, Lewis
  • Poelman, Hugo
Abstract
While in recent times many regions have flourished, many others are stuck—or are at risk of becoming stuck—in a development trap. Such regions experience decline in economic growth, employment, and productivity relative to their neighbors and to their own past trajectories. Prolonged periods in development traps are leading to political dissatisfaction and unrest. Such discontent is often translated into support for antisystem parties at the ballot box. In this article we study the link between the risk, intensity, and duration of regional development traps and the rise of discontent in the European Union (EU)—proxied by the support for Eurosceptic parties in national elections between 2013 and 2022—using an econometric analysis at a regional level. The results highlight the strong connection between being stuck in a development trap, often in middle- or high-income regions, and support for Eurosceptic parties. They also suggest that the longer the period of stagnation, the stronger the support for parties opposed to European integration. This relationship remains robust whether considering only the most extreme Eurosceptic parties or including parties with more moderate levels of Euroscepticism.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés & Dijkstra, Lewis & Poelman, Hugo, 2024. "The geography of EU discontent and the regional development trap," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 122411, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:122411
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/122411/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    discontent; euroscepticism; development trap; economic growth; employment; productivity; regions; EU;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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