Politics and Society

Although extremism is a limited phenomenon in IJsselland, it should be taken seriously due to its dynamic and multifaceted nature and recent social developments. This is the conclusion of a research report published today on extremism in the eleven municipalities that make up the IJsselland security region.

For years, Turkey has been labelled a bridge between the ‘West’ and ‘East’. However, the relations between Turkey and the EU have frequently been under pressure in the last few years. In his PhD research at the University of Groningen, Erdogan Aykaç shows both the Turkish and the European perspective on various topics, such as migration, energy security, terrorism, and relations with the Middle East.

Historian Jelte Olthof is interested in the origins, workings, and influence of the US Constitution. How does the 1787 Constitution function in present-day America? An America that is rapidly changing and where, in 2024, a female president may be elected for the first time.

The European Union is a legal community. Details of the powers that EU institutions have, the powers that they don’t have, and the procedures they have to follow, are set out in the treaties that underpin the EU. Numerous eagle-eyed lawyers make sure that no-one oversteps their boundaries. But recent years have shown that even in Europe, necessity knows no law. Is this a good thing? Pieter de Wilde, Professor of European Politics & Society doesn’t see a problem. In fact, to his mind, the EU should actively sideline its treaties more often so that it can become more political and democratic.

UG researchers Ritumbra Manuvie, Pieter de Wilde, and Lisa Gaufman look ahead to the elections in India, Europe, and the United States, respectively. This week: Lisa Gaufman.

UG researchers Ritumbra Manuvie, Pieter de Wilde, and Lisa Gaufman look ahead to the elections in India, Europe, and the United States, respectively. This week: Pieter de Wilde. He predicts that the European elections will be as boring as always.

Ursula von der Leyen’s decision to run for a second term as President of the European Commission is a positive contribution to democracy in Europe. How significant this contribution is depends on whether journalists, political opponents, and voters pick up the gauntlet, says Pieter de Wilde, Professor of European Politics and Society at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Groningen.

What are the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and the implemented measures for citizens’ trust in politics and science? What lessons can policymakers in Europe and elsewhere draw from this to tackle a potential next pandemic? Benjamin Leruth, researcher and assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts, researched these questions in five European countries. He uses so-called citizens’ juries, small groups of engaged citizens that hold discussions and make recommendations to national and European political bodies. ‘Policymakers should have structural discussions with citizens about important political themes.’

The Dutch Political Parties Documentation Centre (DNPP) collects publications and materials about Dutch political parties. The result after 50 years: a treasure trove with almost all the information imaginable about political parties.

Livelihood security seem to be the magic words of this election campaign. It is presented in the media as the major election theme. According to Dirk Jan Wolffram, this is the case because the truly major themes are not translated into the parties' political visions... ‘It wasn’t always like that,’ says the Professor of History of Governance and Politics in Modern Times. ‘In the fifties and sixties, fundamental debates about the societal order led to the establishment of national insurance legislation in response to the economic crisis of the 1930s.’ Drastic and complex solutions to something that was a real fundamental societal problem at the time: livelihood security.

VVD and (former) CDA politicians are using migrants and environmental regulations as scapegoats for the housing crisis, diverting attention from the fact that it has been their own questionable policies which has brought us to where we are now.

Rob van Haren (Hanze UAS), Bianca Harms (NHL Stenden UAS), and John Hoeks (UG) work at different institutions, but have an unmistakable passion in common. Supported by the University of the North Booster Fund, the trio wants to speed up the transition to a plant-based society. ‘Our end goal is clear, but we have to get there with small steps. We have faith in the power of health, sustainability, and ethics.’

Dr Donya Ahmadi, assistant professor of International Relations at the Faculty of Arts, researches and documents the role of female activists in the political developments of 20th and 21st-century Iran.

Dr Lisa Gaufman, Assistant Professor in Russian Discourse and Politics, investigates the rhetoric of the Kremlin on social media. A story about online cartoons and polarizing troll accounts masquerading as concerned citizens.

Political parties that have misbehaving politicians among their members receive less votes at the following municipal council elections than similar parties without incidents. Corruption, private scandals, as well as professional failures are punished by voters. The electoral punishing of corruption in the Netherlands is relatively heavy, compared to other countries. These are the conclusions of Harm Rienks in his PhD thesis.

New forms of extremism are on the rise in the Northern Netherlands. Jihadism only plays a limited role in the three northern provinces, according to a research report that will be published today. The report was drawn up by UG researchers Pieter Nanninga, Leonie de Jonge, and Fleur Valk, by order of the Municipality of Groningen.

How can municipalities tackle the housing shortage? Municipal housing corporations could be the solution—just like they were 100 years ago.