Aligned Views? Explaining the Structure of Attitudes Towards Globalisation Dimensions

Globalisation has become a central element of political competition in Western Europe and a contested symbol among citizens. However, globalisation is a complex, multi-dimensional process, encompassing the global integration of economic, political, and cultural domains of society. Recent research suggests that citizens do not necessarily hold uniform attitudes toward these dimensions; they may support some while opposing others. This paper seeks to identify and explain the structure of opinions on the various dimensions of globalisation. Drawing on an original survey conducted in eight European countries, it examines citizens’ attitudes toward different aspects of globalisation as well as the concept as a whole. Using latent profile analysis, it identifies patterns of preferences among citizens and then investigates these patterns to explain their determinants using regression analysis. Specifically, we hypothesize that citizens' attitudes toward globalization's dimensions are shaped by their political knowledge and personal experiences of its effects. By exploring when attitudes toward different dimensions align cohesively as a unified "globalisation attitude" and when they diverge, this study moves beyond the simple dichotomy of support versus opposition. Ultimately, this article provides deeper insights into the complexity of public opinion on globalisation, highlighting the nuanced ways citizens perceive its various dimensions.