IntUne Elite Survey Wave 1, January - July 2007

Respondents evaluated importance of different things when being a countryman/countrywoman. It was questioned what threatens EU integrity. Respondents were asked if the purpose of EU should be the increase of competitiveness of economic of Europe in world market or assurance of better social security for all of EU citizens.

A question was asked - in which scale left-right respondents see themselves. Political elite was questioned - what are their first thoughts about whom they represents. Further, all respondents were asked if unification of Europe should be reinforced or it is already too much.

After question block was presented, respondents were asked if member states should remain the main EU characters or European Commission should become authentic EU government and if powers of European Parliament should be reinforced. It was analysed if there should be a joint European army or if every nation should have their own national army. Respondents indicated how much they trust in European Parliament, European Commission and Council of Ministers of Europe's ability to make right decisions.

Economic elite was asked how much they trust in national parliament, state government and regional authority's ability to make right decisions. It was questioned if people who adopt decisions in EU level are not considering interests of states enough and if some member states interests have a larger weight in EU level. Different ways on how members of national parliament and economic elite of state can affect political decisions of EU were assessed.

It was questioned what amount from hundred units of national currency (that citizen pays for taxes) should be appointed to regional, national and EU level. After list of political fields was presented, respondents were asked if every field is currently the most decided on and if it should be mostly decided on regional, national or EU level. Respondents evaluated importance of different things when being European.

When thinking about EU in 10 years from now, respondents were asked to evaluate these statement: one tax system in Europe; common social security system; one foreign policy in respect of states that are outside EU and greater help for EU regions that are facing economic and social difficulties. Respondents evaluated influence to solving important state questions made by ordinary citizen; member of national parliament, with or without experience in government or important committee of parliament; leader of biggest state companies, banks or business organizations and person with similar position as respondent.

It was questioned if respondents are planning to pursue political (political elite) or professional (economic elite) carrier in European level. Respondents were asked if they have close relatives or friends who are living in or are derived from other European country. It was questioned how often respondents use other than their own country's media sources to get information.

Respondents were asked if in the last year they contacted with interest groups of Europe; social movements of Europe (not from their own country) and non-governmental organizations and parties of other EU states. At the end, respondents were asked if their country had or had not benefited from being member of EU. Socio-demographic characteristics: for confidentiality purposes information about respondents social and demographic characteristics is removed.

List of removed variables can be reviewed in "The Europe of Elites: A Study Into the Europeanness of Europe`s Political and Economic Elites", p. 265-268. Also, in order to assure respondents confidentiality, there is no data of Austria in general data file. To access the list of variables of social and demographic characteristics please contact data@ktu.lt