The effect of framing on public opinion: evidence from the Eurozone crisis

The extent to which individual perception of economic performance during the crisis had an impact on political outcomes is highly debated, nonetheless, mainstream approaches do not question how these perceptions are formed and what factors might influence them. Significantly, the research aims at contributing to the literature opening the "black box" of individual perceptions, providing a more comprehensive approach than mainstream rational choice approaches. The aim of this dissertation is to test whether different narratives had an effect on public opinion during the Eurozone crisis. Two different narratives can be identified in the discourses from political actors: one highlights fiscal profligacy of debtor countries as the cause of the crisis, the other holds the structural imbalances of the Eurozone responsible. By using a variety of quantitative methods and experimental techniques, I will analyse the cross-country distribution of both narratives. The study of these distinctive narratives is crucial as they influence individual perceptions of the causes of the crisis, which, in turn, might have had an impact on political outcomes. To give an example, individuals from debtor countries, where the structural imbalances framing was more widespread, might be disappointed with the austerity measures implemented. Therefore, the analysis of narratives is crucial in understanding key current political developments such as the polarisation of public opinion.