Populism and Euroscepticism in the Netherlands

Pim Fortuyn and the Dutch Nee-Campaign against the European Constitutional Treaty

Bachelor Thesis , 2006 , 42 Pages , Grade: 1,7

Politics - Region: Western Europe

This dissertation aims at applying the theoretical concepts of populism and Euroscepticism to two special cases in the Netherlands – the rise and fall of the Dutch populist Pim Fortuyn in 2002 and the Nee-Campaign against the European Constitutional Treaty in 2005. Fortuynism must be understood on the background of modernisation, globalisation, Europeanisation and the consensual politics of the Dutch violet coalition that was the precondition for Fortuyn’s success. This dissertation will also explain the effect of populism on democracies in general and the impact of Fortuynism after Fortuyn’s sudden death on the Dutch political system.
Only three years after Fortuyn’s death another populist movement appeared. The Dutch Nee-
Campaign against the European Constitutional Treaty topicalised Fortuyn’s issues – asylum and immigration policy – alongside with creating a fear of losing the Dutch’s national identity to mobilise the people against the Constitutional Treaty. Once again the Dutch government did not know how to react and initialised its own “Yes”-Campaign in favour of the Constitutional Treaty too late to reach and inform the people. As a logical consequence the result of the referendum with a serious turn out rate was opposed to the Constitutional Treaty.
What do those developments indicate for the Netherlands future within Europe? Can other populist movements arise as easily as Fortuynism or will the government finally learn its lesson and overcome the distance to its people?

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• What is Populism?
• Defining Populism
• Democracies and the Populist Challenge
• The Dutch Government: a Consensual Government?
• The Rise and Fall of Pim Fortuyn
• Implications for the Dutch Government after Fortuyn
• Populism and Euroscepticism
• Defining Euroscepticism
• The Dutch Referendum and the Nee-Campaign
• Why the Dutch voted against the Constitutional Treaty
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation aims to apply the theoretical concepts of populism and Euroscepticism to two specific cases in the Netherlands: the rise and fall of Pim Fortuyn in 2002 and the Nee-Campaign against the European Constitutional Treaty in 2005. It will analyze the impact of populism on democracies in general and on the Dutch political system in particular. The dissertation will also explore the connections between populism and Euroscepticism, the reasons behind the Dutch vote against the Constitutional Treaty, and the potential future implications for the Netherlands within Europe.

• The rise and fall of populism in the Netherlands, focusing on the case of Pim Fortuyn.
• The impact of populism on democracies and the Dutch political system.
• The relationship between populism and Euroscepticism.
• The Nee-Campaign against the European Constitutional Treaty and its impact on the Netherlands’ role in Europe.
• An analysis of the reasons behind the Dutch vote against the Constitutional Treaty.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of populism and Euroscepticism in the Netherlands, highlighting the historical context and the emergence of these phenomena. It also outlines the main research questions and the structure of the dissertation.
• What is Populism?: This chapter delves into the theoretical concepts of populism, exploring various definitions and interpretations. It examines the relationship between populism and democracy, discussing the potential threats and revitalizing effects of populist movements.
• The Dutch Government: a Consensual Government?: This chapter analyzes the Dutch government system, highlighting the concept of consensual politics and its implications for the rise of populism. It provides a historical overview of the Dutch political landscape and the factors contributing to the emergence of populist movements.
• The Rise and Fall of Pim Fortuyn: This chapter focuses on the rise and fall of Pim Fortuyn, a key figure in Dutch populism. It examines his political platform, the reasons for his success, and the consequences of his assassination for the Dutch political system.
• Implications for the Dutch Government after Fortuyn: This chapter analyzes the impact of Fortuynism on the Dutch government, exploring the challenges it presented and the strategies adopted in response. It examines the long-term consequences of Fortuyn's legacy on the Dutch political landscape.
• Populism and Euroscepticism: This chapter explores the relationship between populism and Euroscepticism, examining the commonalities and differences between the two concepts. It provides a detailed analysis of Euroscepticism in the Netherlands, focusing on its historical roots and the factors contributing to its rise.
• The Dutch Referendum and the Nee-Campaign: This chapter examines the 2005 Dutch referendum on the European Constitutional Treaty, focusing on the Nee-Campaign and its tactics. It explores the reasons behind the campaign's success and the implications of its outcome for the future of European integration.
• Why the Dutch voted against the Constitutional Treaty: This chapter analyzes the reasons behind the Dutch vote against the Constitutional Treaty. It explores the role of various factors, including concerns about national sovereignty, immigration, and the perceived lack of democratic accountability in the EU.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The dissertation focuses on the key concepts of populism, Euroscepticism, and their intersections within the Dutch political context. It examines the rise and fall of Pim Fortuyn and the Nee-Campaign against the European Constitutional Treaty, analyzing the impact of these movements on the Dutch political system and the country's relationship with Europe. Key themes include: populist movements, consensual politics, Euroscepticism, European integration, national identity, and the role of public opinion in shaping political decisions.

• College: University of Nottingham
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Katrin Schmidt (Author)
• Publication Year: 2006
• Pages: 42
• Catalog Number: V93999
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638067744
• ISBN (Book): 9783638953870
• Language: English
• Tags: Populism, Euroscepticism, Netherlands, Pim Fortuyn, Lissabon Treaty