Stability of Majority Attitudes toward Multiculturalism in the Netherlands between 1999 and 2007

Abstract

The success of multiculturalism as an ideology to deal with cultural differences depends upon the level of support for multiculturalism by majority members. It has been argued that support for multiculturalism in the Netherlands has substantially changed in response to various national and international events, such as the terrorist attacks on New York (n = 464). Contrary to popular belief, we found little evidence for enduring attitude changes over the nine-year period. Implications for studies of multiculturalism and for policy-makers are discussed.Le succès du multiculturalisme en tant qu'idéologie pour appréhender les différences culturelles dépend du soutien dont il bénéficie de la part de la majorité de la population. On a dit que l'approbation du multiculturalisme s'était profondément altérée aux Pays-Bas à la suite de divers évènements nationaux et internationaux, telles que les attaques terroristes sur New York (2001), Madrid (2004) et Londres (2005), et les assassinats du politicien populaire Fortuyn (2002) et du metteur en scène controversé Van Gogh (2004). On a comparé des données d'enquête sur les attitudes majoritaires chez les Néerlandais en 1999 (n = 333), 2001 (n = 1,266), 2004 (n = 246), 2005 (n = 170), 2006 (n = 306) et 2007 (n = 464). A l'encontre de la croyance populaire, un changement d'attitudes durable est loin d'être évident sur cette période de neuf ans. On discute des conséquences pour les études sur le multiculturalisme et les projets politiques.

Altering Perceived Cultural and Economic Threats can Increase Immigrant Helping

“…In terms of symbolic threat, research suggests that natives of a host society would be more willing to accept immigrants if they believe that immigrants will not change the host society's cultural values and way of life (Card, Dustmann, & Preston, ; Hainmueller & Hiscox, ). Indeed, the acculturation literature also demonstrates a clear preference among natives of a host society for immigrants to adapt to the host society's culture (Breugelmans, van de Vijver, & Schalk‐Soekar, ; Verkuyten & Martinovic, ). Immigrants who are culturally very different from the host society are more likely to be perceived as threatening, but when these immigrants are perceived to be adapting to the host society's culture, the level of threat declines (Rohmann, Florack, & Piontkowski, ).…”

“…Moreover, immigrants that are seen as unthreatening to the host society's culture elicit more positive attitudes among members of the host society (Stephan, Renfro, Esses, Stephan, & Martin, ). Fortunately, immigrants often possess high endorsement of multicultural attitudes, which entails that they are willing to adapt to the host society's culture to a meaningful extent (Arends‐Tóth & van de Vijver, ; Breugelmans et al., ; Verkuyten & Martinovic, ). However, while immigrants may be exerting effort to adapt to the host society's culture, the host society may not necessarily see these efforts (Navas et al., ).…”

“…According to the acculturation literature, immigrants often endorse a multicultural ideology (Arends‐Tóth & van de Vijver, ; Verkuyten & Martinovic, ). The multicultural ideology entails that immigrants are willing to adapt their culture as means of accommodating the culture of the host society (Breugelmans et al., ). We used this context of cultural adaptation in Study 2 and expected that high cultural adaptation of immigrants would lead natives to view immigrants as less of a threat than low cultural adaptation (Hypothesis 1a).…”

Perspectives on Diversity in the Military: A Comparison between Belgium and the Netherlands

“…The dominant cultural group could feel realistic threat and anxiety towards unknown cultural habits and values of minority groups, and, as a result could require the minority groups to adapt to the existing standards (Stephan & Stephan, 1996). In this context, it could be interesting to explain the differences between the military organizations in both countries on the bases of societal differences level like stability of democracy and ratings of integration policy (Bourhis, Moï se, Perreault, & Sené cal, 1997) or societal values (Breughelmans, Van de Vijver & Schalk-Soekar, 2007).…”

Evaluating the political organisation of Muslim citizens in the Netherlands: The role of political orientation, education and multiculturalism

“…This means that the ideological content of multiculturalism corresponds with the core attitude dimensions of traditionalism (vs. change) and equality (vs. dominance) underlying political orientation and education. Research has found a positive link between education and multiculturalism, and between left-wing political orientation and multiculturalism (e.g., Breugelmans & Van de Vijver, 2004;Breugelmans, Van de Vijver, & Schalk-Soekar, 2009;Hooghe & De Vroome, 2015). Furthermore, support for multiculturalism has been found to be associated with the endorsement of minority rights (e.g., Levin et al, 2012;Verkuyten, 2006).…”