Party Positions in the EP -- p10
respectively). Quite similar results may be observed for the EU Collective Security
dimension, with the PES once again emerging as the most strongly integrative, and the EDD
the most Euro-sceptic.
Finally, we observe in Table 1 several non-economic dimensions of policy, such as
social and moral issues, immigration and the environment. On the classic dimension of moral
liberalism (measured by attitudes towards abortion, homosexuality and euthanasia), we see
the EP divided into two distinct groups, one left of centre and one to the right. On the “left” of
the spectrum, we find the Greens, GUE, ELDR, and the PES, with mean scores ranging 4.0-
5.6 respectively. Closest to the centre but still distinctively right of centre is the EPP with a
mean score of 13.9 (SE .58). Finally, the UEN and the EDD occupied their now familiar
positions on the right, both with mean scores at 15.1. Very similar results were observed for
immigration, with these same sets of parties divided into two similar camps, with the EPP
once again closest to the centre at 12.0 (SE .70).
Finally, on the issue of the environment, party groups were generally less divided and
more centrist. The exception was the Greens on the “left”, meaning they favoured protecting
the environment even at the cost of economic growth, with a mean score of 2.9. Left of centre
were the GUE (6.9) and the PES (8.6), followed by the ELDR in the center at 10.9. The
remaining parties EPP, UEN, and EDD were slightly to the right of centre at essentially the
same positions (12.1, 12.8, and 12.9 respectively).
As measured by the Divergence column, we see that the policy dimensions where party
positions were the most dispersed - indicating the policy dimensions with the highest degrees
of policy differences between party groups - were first and foremost the classic economic and
social left-right positions. Social policy had the highest position divergence, at 4.9, followed
by Taxes v. Spending and Deregulation at 4.0 and 3.9 respectively. The three EU dimensions
and also immigration ranged in the middle region of divergence between 3.2 and 3.9.
Interestingly the least contested policy dimension was the environment, with a divergence
score of just 2.1.
Summarizing the positional information graphically, we can visualize the political
parties in two dimensions using a two-dimensional plot of economic left-right versus