Beyond the Dutch "Multicultural Model": The Coproduction of Integration Policy Frames in The Netherlands

Int. Migration & Integration (2011) 12:331348

DOI 10.1007/s12134-010-0161-5

Beyond the Dutch Multicultural Model

The Coproduction of Integration Policy Frames in The Netherlands

J. W. Duyvendak & P. W. A. Scholten

Published online: 21 December 2010# The Author(s) 2010. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com

Abstract The Netherlands has been internationally known for its multicultural approach to immigrant integration. The aim of this article is to delve into the coproduction by researchers and policy makers of this so-called Dutch multicultural model. As this article shows, researchers and policy makers have in The Netherlands been joined in several discourse coalitions. Indeed, one of these discourse coalitions supported an integration paradigm with multicultural elements, but at least two other types of discourses can be identified in The Netherlands, one of more liberalegalitarian nature and one more assimilationist. In spite of the persistent image of The Netherlands as a representative of the multicultural model, it is in fact this multiplicity of discourses that characterizes the Dutch case. Moreover, labeling Dutch integration policies as multiculturalist has to be understood as a performative act by both politicians and scholars who disapprove of Dutch integration policies. In that sense, the retrospective labeling of policies as multiculturalist is a very specific kind of coproduction of a policy frame.

Keywords Immigrant integration policies . Multiculturalism .

National models of integration . Research-policy dialogues . Policy frames

Mots cls Les politiques d'intgration des immigres . Multiculturalisme (communitaurisme) . Les models nationaux d'intgration

The Netherlands has been internationally known for its multicultural approach to immigrant integration. Some even speak of a multicultural model that would continue to inform Dutch political discourse and policy practices until this very day (Sniderman and Hagendoorn 2007; Joppke 2007; Koopmans 2007). The basic

J. W. Duyvendak

University of Amsterdam, OZ Achterburgwal 185, 1012 DK Amsterdam, The Netherlands e-mail: [email protected]

P. W. A. Scholten (*)

Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands e-mail: [email protected]

332 W.G.J. Duyvendak, P.W.A. Scholten

premise of this model would be that Dutch policies have been driven by a coherent and consistent belief that the recognition and accommodation of cultural, ethnic, and religious groups in society will lead to their successful emancipation into the Dutch multicultural society.

The...