Culturalization of citizenship: The Netherlands in comparative perspective Jan Willem Duyvendak & Evelien Tonkens Peter Geschiere, Francio Guadeloupe, Paul Mepschen, Rogier van Reekum and Bregje Termeer March 15, 2010

Culturalization in the Netherlands 1.Culturalization of citizenship (JWD) 2.To be analyzed by discerning variants of culturalization (ET)

Culturalization in the Netherlands: our four claims 1.Polarization due not primarily to socio- economic deprivation or multiculturalism 2.But due to increasing monoculturalism, 3.Resulting in culturalization of citizenship. 4.To be analyzed by discerning variants of culturalization.

Causes of polarization Socio-economic deprivation? Culture as false consciousness. –No serious unemployment; –Political debate on cultural issues (Wilders’ Fitna; ‘Proud of the Netherlands’). Multiculturalism: growing divide due to pluralism? –Groups rights given reluctantly, selectively, and temporarily (relation economic and cultural integration shifts over time).

Monoculturalism Since 1960 increasing cultural consensus Sex, drugs, and many more ‘ethical’ themes; General support for liberal politics; Secularization.

Polarization among cultural fault lines Native-Dutch: –The Netherlands as progressive country threatened by old-fashioned intolerant groups Muslim-Dutch : –Religion as safe haven in a country that strives to wipe out our identity Result: cultural debate on feeling at home, loyalty, ‘good’ citizenship, cultural practices; emotionalisation of the debate and culturalization of citizenship.

Restorative versus constructive concept of culture Restorative: Culture to be uncovered in history (canon, national museum, integration programs) Citizens and policy: nostalgia

Restorative versus constructive concept of culture (2) Constructive: Citizenship as constructing culture, as bricolage; On an everyday basis as a combination of tradition and renewal.

c ulturalisation in comparative perspective: Netherlands, UK and France How to compare? National models? (French laïcité, English multiculturalism) Rather: more empirical, issue-based comparison. 4 issues in public debate that are exemplary of culturalisation in the Netherlands: National holidays Homosexuality Domestic violence Ex-Muslims Analysis of opinionating articles on these issues in all three countries, , in three national newspapers per country

1. ex-muslims: FranceUKNetherlands At most issue concerning islamic countries; = FranceMuch of an issue More on ex- Christians converting to islam -(ex-christians converting to islam no issue for debate) Tension: Christianity versus islam = FranceTension: secularism versus islam Ex-muslim: tragic individual, no hero -Ex-muslim as hero

2. domestic violence FranceUKNetherlands Problem of society (Gendered) problem of society, Problem of cultures and ethnic groups On scope and characteristics of the problem On services, role of police, judicial issues On cultural causes On personal stories of individual victims On genderOn ethnic/ cultural groups

3. national holidays FranceUKNetherlands issue of religion, thus not to be regulated left/right issue: pro Europe, pro Britishness issue of cohesion national identity in terms of Enlightenment values national identity, but what it is? national identity in terms of doughnuts debate on Muslim/ Jewish holiday, yet changes rejected: not secular debate on e.g. St George day: not religion but on Britishness some debate on national holiday as creating cohesion

4. gay pride/homosexuality FranceUKNetherlands Gay pride hardly an issue; at most as isolating gay community; pink list unthinkable: isolating Gay pride issue- not related to Islam, but to political efficacy Pink list for visibility Gay pride issue, connected to islam; muslim pro and anti- gay reaction (Al Taweed, El Moumni; Marcouch) No link homophobia- islam Homophobia –islam linked only recently- before: left/right Strong link with Islam; also by feminists (Hirsi Ali) Gay marriage and gay parenting very contested: is left wing; threatening family life Gay marriage and gay parenting legalized but contested Gay marriage and gay parenting (legalized and) not contested Violence against gays: not connected to ethnic groups, only to young people Main issue: discrimination of gays by the church Violence against gays strongly connected to islam

culturalization: comparative perspective Dutch culturalization of citizenship: restorative, built on three issues: 1. Sexuality 2. Secularization 3. Free speech: we can say everything: tearing down public-private divide

1. sexuality FranceUKNetherlands Sexuality private, unless conflicting with enlightenment Sexuality social movement issue: gender, identity Sexual self expression as liberating Sexuality should remain off stage; Sexuality on stage as identity issue (among other identities) Anything that hampers sexual self expression is condemned Traditional family still dominant – resonating traditional catholic values Family not the issue: sexuality is about gender, class etc. Traditional family not heralded: can hamper sexual liberty

2. secularization FranceUKNetherlands Catholicism closer to Islam (than secularized Dutch) Church still important cultural force Highly secularized: anti religion, thus anti-islam Debating religion - recognising such differences- is impossible Religious differences are minor compared to class Dutch identify with struggles for liberation from religion

3. public-private FranceUKNetherlands Republican tradition: off stage/ on stage Britishness= class/manners; off stage/ on stage Freedom of speech: say whatever you want When on stage: behave = FranceRudeness - >‘Tone’ much of an issue Private issues no on stage issues Private issues politicized as class/ gender Everything can be put on stage

C ulturalization of citizenship in the Netherlands: Dutch understand themselves in terms of secularization, sexual liberation and free speech (everything can be said, public = private) All three: mainly restorative Muslims understood as the opposite of this Ex-muslims, gay pride, domestic violence are well suited to express Dutchness in contrast with Muslims National holidays are not- there Dutchness is reduced to doughnuts and ridicule; religious demands cannot be easily recognized