The first study took place in 1980, the second was in 1990 and the most recent study was conducted in 1999/2000.  The data in the Atlas was taken from the results of this last study. Though not all European countries participated in each study, the number of participating countries has grown significantly. Thirty-three European countries participated in the latest study.

The Atlas is divided into seven thematic chapters: Europe, family, work, religion, politics, society and happiness.

The Atlas indicates for instance that Europeans generally are happy and – still – religious: three-fourths consider themselves to be religious. The family is still the cornerstone of society in all countries. According to Europeans, children need to be taught responsibility, good manners and respect, in particular. The Atlas also reveals some inconsistency in European values: while most Europeans think that women ought to contribute to the family income, the majority of them think that the best way to raise small children is at home. There also seems to be inconsistency when it comes to opinions about the national government: democracy can certainly count on a large following, though at the same time a majority of Europeans also believes it sensible for the country to be governed by experts (technocracy).

University of Tilburg
Loek Halman, tel. +31 13 4662015

23/06/2005

Loek Halman, Ruud Luijkx and Marga van Zundert

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Citizenship