Through a sociological lens, this study assesses the level and factors of social cohesion in the European Union (EU-SC), from the perspective of its citizens. This approach looks at citizens' attitudes and practices towards other EU citizens and its institutions, evaluating connectedness, and whether they feel and want to be part of the EU. Using a quantitative methodology, with data from the 2019 Eurobarometer, the EU-SC is operationalised in four dimensions: horizontal relations (citizen-citizen), vertical relations (citizen-European institutions), belonging and transnational practices. With a main focus on vertical relationships (trust, legitimacy, country membership), we seek which factors are related to EU-SC: 1) social inequalities; 2) subjective well-being; 3) national social cohesion - trust in national institutions and satisfaction with the functioning of democracy; 4) personal values; 5) EU Representations. The relevance of which EU-SC dimension to EU membership is also assessed. More than the social structure, the results show the relevance of the subjective and ideational fields for the vertical relations of the EU-SC. Trust in national institutions, EU representations and personal values are the factors that most correlate with EU-SC trust. Moreover, personal values relate differently with EU-SC: when compared to each other, socioeconomic values of liberalisation are more associated with EU-SC trust and legitimacy, while values of a welfare state have a stronger association with horizontal relations and EU membership. Additionally, for EU-SC the level of analysis matters, as subjective well-being at European level is more important than at personal and national levels. Furthermore, although there is a relationship between trust in national institutions and EU-SC trust, and between satisfaction with national democracy and EU-SC legitimacy, the relationship between these two factors and EU membership appears twofold, moderated by factors of national governance. Indeed, personal values of democracy and the rule of law are associated with EU membership.

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