Description
Has the Netherlands turned completely eurosceptic in recent years? The no vote in the 2005 referendum on the European Constitutional Treaty and the considerable gains of eurosceptic parties such as the socialist SP party and the anti-Islam party PVV in national and European elections might give that impression. Nevertheless, the Dutch appreciate European Union membership more than most other nations in the EU, and most parties still accept the EU as necessary and inevitable to tackle certain international problems. The MA seminar The Netherlands and the European Union therefore examines whether, when, why, and how Dutch governments, parliament, ministries, parties, interest groups, and citizens have turned more critical or sceptic about European integration. By examining Euroscepticism in the Netherlands, students learn to understand and use the concepts and theories of euroscepticism.
Passive knowledge of Dutch is required for this seminar. Participants are expected to have basic knowledge of Dutch politics and European integration.
Methods of Instruction
Working Groups
Study Material
Leconte, C. (2010), Understanding Euroscepticism. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
A list of obligatory readings will be made available on blackboard in late October 2012.
Examination
Essays, presentation, paper
Schedule
Tuesday 1 November till 6 December, 13.00 -15.00 hrs. 5A37 (except 15 Nov room 5A42, 22 Nov room 0A33, 29 Nov room 5A41 and 6 Dec 0A33; and
Thursday 3 November till 8 December 13.00 – 15.00 hrs. in 5B02