Founded in 1992, Sussex European Institute (SEI) is the leading research and postgraduate training centre on contemporary European issues. SEI has a distinctive philosophy built on interdisciplinarity, a broad and inclusive approach to Europe, policy-relevance at the academic cutting edge, and...

Please note that the EPERN was originally launched as the Opposing Europe Research Network (OERN) but in August 2003 the Network was retitled to reflect a broadening out of the Network's research focus. EPERN Working Papers are therefore a continuation of the original OERN Working Paper Series.

In contrast to national elections, both parties and voters are assumed to think that ‘less is at stake’ in European elections: Campaigns are less intense, turnout is lower, and citizens are more inclined to ‘vote with their hearts’. The latter should be reflected in differing rationales...