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Pro-European orientation in Serbia and Croatia: contribution of socio-demographic characteristics, national attachment, European identity and perception of EU as a threat.

Although they share 70 years of history in the common state, the recent history of Serbia and Croatia is different. While Croatia joined EU in 2013, Serbia currently has a status of the candidate for EU membership. It is, thus, interesting to investigate how different forms of national attachment, socio-demographic variables, European identity as well as the perception of EU as a threat contribute to pro-European orientation in these countries. Sample consisted of 484 citizens of Serbia and 483 citizens of Croatia (total N=967). Correlational analyses showed that pro-European orientation is negatively related to national identity in both countries, while the correlation with behavioral aspect of national identity is negative in Serbia, but non-significant in Croatia. Other forms of national attachment: blind and constructive patriotism, taking pride in the state and in the successful individuals of one’s nation do not correlate with pro-European orientation in both countries. Hierarchical regression analyses with three sets of predictors: socio-demographic variables (gender, age, education, importance of religion), different forms of national attachment, and European identity and perception of EU as a threat, showed different results in the two countries. In Serbia, pro-European orientation is stronger among women, older citizens, and individuals who put lower importance in religion. Out of different forms of national attachment, only national identity negatively contributes to pro-European orientation, while European identity has positive and perception of EU as a threat negative relation with pro-European orientation. In Croatia, socio-demographic variables do not contribute to prediction of pro-European orientation. National identity has negative relation, while behavioral aspect of national identity has positive relation to pro-European orientation. Finally, as expected, European identity is related positively and perception of EU as a threat negatively to pro-European orientation. The results are discussed in the light of political, historical, and cultural context in Serbia and Croatia.

pro-european orientation, national attachment, European identity, perception of EU as a threat, Croatia, Serbia

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