The article looks at how people in European countries feel about the government over time. They used data from surveys to see how individual beliefs and group trends affect support for the state. They found that both self-interest and symbolic views play a role in shaping attitudes towards the government. Different groups of people show similar but divided opinions on the government. Changes in the economy can influence public opinion, but not always in a predictable way. The findings are relevant for Europe and build on what previous studies have found in the US.