Dutch Europhilia? Identification with Europe in Dutch Political Party Manifestos between 1989 and 2004.

Abstract

This thesis analyses Dutch political party positions towards European integration in order to debunk the image of Dutch Europhilia. This goal will be achieved by using frame analysis, which is useful in clarifying the justification that the parties used for their position. Parties can justify support for integration both with utilitarian arguments, related to a pragmatic position and with more cultural arguments related to a federalist, Europhile position. These cultural frames exist out of more multiculturalist identifications with Europe and more nationalist exclusive identifications with the nation-state. By studying political party manifestos for the European Parliament elections between 1989 and 2004, using this framework, this study will find that the positions and justifications of parties were more complex than other studies and the media have suggested.