ABSTRACT
This chapter describes public opinion studies based exclusively on utilitarian or rational choice theories and it proposes two innovations. Firstly, it works on European regions as units of analyses and, then, it defines what is the influence of regional identity in order to form attitudes towards European Union. Since 1973, Eurobarometer surveys have tested public opinion of European citizens in relation to political, social and economic issues. A perception taking into account the regional level opens other relevant questions and hypotheses to explain divergences in support to the European Union between states but also within states. Some regional actors reinforced the vision of the Europe of Regions where nation-states would disappear. This Europe of Regions would be more democratic, efficient and economically dynamic in comparison to the status quo where nation-states were the central actors in the political field.
