Details of Research Outputs

This chapter applies the conceptual framework of cleavage theory to explore the politicization of anti-pandemic measures in Europe. The authors used secondary analysis of data from Chapel Hill Expert Survey and Eurobarometer public opinion surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021 to map differences over anti-pandemic measures onto existing political cleavages and divides. In the early stages of the pandemic, political parties critical of government redistribution were more likely to oppose containment measures, but national circumstances played an important role. The data suggest that differences in public attitudes to anti-pandemic measures were moderately associated with variables indicating transnational cleavage, but not with class cleavage. Perceived justifiability of anti-pandemic measures and lower vaccination intent was commonplace especially among people with negative views of the European Union and globalization.