IntUne Elite Survey Wave 2, 2009

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. Media and trade-unions 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 media and trade-unions elite of state can affect political decisions of EU were assessed. It was analysed if EU should have a president and what means of his/hers appointment would be the most suitable.

According to financial crisis and existing need to reduce its negative influence on state's economy, respondents marked solution alternatives based on importance. 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 local, 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. It was questioned how much are respondents satisfied with how democracy operates in EU and which institution is more suitable to care for safety of Europe.

It was questioned if respondents are planning to pursue political (political elite) or professional (media and trade-unions elite) carrier in European level. 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.

It was questioned if respondents country had or had not benefited from being member of EU. 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. 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; member of EP; leader of biggest state companies, banks or employers organizations; representative of the most important media tools; leader of the biggest trade-unions and person with similar position as respondent.

Socio-demographic characteristics: for confidentiality purposes information about respondents social and demographic characteristics is removed. 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.