Support base for migration policy depends on level of social unease

Dutch citizens who believe things are not going well in their country are usually also more negative about the government’s migration policy. This has been revealed by research by the University of Groningen that was commissioned by the national Research and Documentation Centre (WODC).                   

The role of social unease in people’s attitude to migration policy has not received sufficient attention so far. Earlier research did not distinguish between the different aspects of a support base. There is a relatively large support base for the objectives of migration policy, for taking in refugees and civic integration for example. The Dutch mainly have doubts about its implementation. The implementation of the civic integration and return policies in particular is heavily criticized. The objectives of the labour migration policy are also called into question.

The research project comprised a literature study and an online survey among 2601 Dutch citizens. In addition, telephone interviews were held with 80 of these respondents, discussing in detail the reasons for their opinions on migration policy.

Social unease
Social unease refers to the perception that ‘we’ are not doing well. It consists of a lack of trust in government, the feeling that the Netherlands is moving in the wrong direction and the idea that the average Dutchman is facing many problems such as corruption, crime and injustice. Those who experience a higher level of social unease are usually more inclined to evaluate the implementation of migration policy more negatively.

Note for the press
A summary of the research project and the research report have been added to this press release as attachments. For questions about the research project, please contact Prof. Tom Postmes https://www.rug.nl/staff/t.postmes/ or Dr Toon Kuppens https://www.rug.nl/staff/t.kuppens/.