What asylum and refugee policies do Europeans want? Evidence from a cross-national conjoint experiment

The protection of asylum seekers and refugees has become one of the most politically divisive issues in the European Union, yet there has been a lack of research on public preferences for asylum and refugee policies. This article analyzes which policies Europeans prefer and why. We advance a theoretical framework that explains how asylum and refugee policies that use limits and conditions enable individuals to resolve conflicting humanitarian and perceived national interest logics. Using an original conjoint experiment in eight countries, we demonstrate that Europeans prefer policies that provide refugee protection but also impose control through limits or conditions. In contrast to the divisive political debates between European Union member states, we find consistent public preferences across European countries.

Automated summary

This study examines public preferences for asylum and refugee policies in Europe, finding a preference for policies that provide refugee protection while also imposing control. The theoretical framework helps explain how these policies help individuals reconcile conflicting humanitarian and national interest logics. Despite divisive political debates among EU member states, there is consistent public preference across European countries.