Europe’s immigration divide: multidimensional responsibility-sharing as a solution?

Abstract

Immigration poses a fundamental challenge for the European Union, with deep political divisions complicating efforts to achieve effective collective governance. One proposed response is multidimensional responsibility-sharing, in which member states engage in European migration governance through different types of contributions aligned with their capacities and preferences. To what extent can such an approach overcome Europe’s divide on immigration and mobilise public support? Drawing on original survey data from six EU member states, we assess the potential for multidimensional responsibility-sharing by first mapping citizens’ evaluations of different contribution types and, second, analysing whether these preferences reflect countries’ positions in the migration regime or individual ideological orientations. Our findings show broad support for responsibility-sharing and clear differentiation between contribution types: refugee relocation is least preferred, whereas financial contributions and joint border control are more widely accepted. Preference patterns, however, are remarkably consistent across member states and driven primarily by ideology rather than structural characteristics of national contexts. Consequently, the scope for complementary national specialisation in European migration governance is limited. While multidimensional responsibility-sharing may facilitate political adoption of a common policy, it provides limited practical leverage for overcoming Europe's divide on actual contributions to European migration governance.