Public Attitudes Toward National Border Controls

<p>How do citizens evaluate national border controls? In this paper, we argue that while public attitudes toward national border controls are not necessarily fixed, they are primarily interpreted through the lens of migration. To test this argument, we conduct an original survey in Germany and combine open-ended questions with a conjoint and an information experiment. The findings show that migration is not only strongly associated with national border controls, but that the reduction of irregular immigration is also the most important dimension when evaluating these controls. Nonetheless, the findings provide evidence that attitudes toward these controls are not fully fixed: Information on the benefits of the Schengen free travel agreement modestly increases support for border-free travel and reduces support for national border controls. The results have important implications for how the public assesses national border controls in the European context.</p>