Pragmatic Pluralism and Pillarization: An Psycho-Social Analysis of "The Multi-cultural Drama"

Abstract

Concepts such as tolerance, the need for integration and value congruence are prominent within the political lexicon. As a political message they reflect a collaborative and inclusive culture. However, tolerance may be a veiled condoning of the other’s difference, which relates to a call for assimilation instead of integration due to an inherit discomfort with person-nation misfit where values are concerned. A case in point is The Netherlands, which, due to a swing to the right that ousted the long reign of the centre democrats and labour party, is now dealing with what Scheffer (2000) defined as the ‘Multicultural Drama’. Since Dutch culture is known for its tolerance and liberal politics, the psychological motivation of this seemingly new majority of Dutch voters is of particular interest. Drawing from social psychological theories such as fit theory and social identity theory, and sociological phenomena such as pragmatic pluralism, this paper aims to bring together the theoretical knowledge that can explain the contradiction in terms of values and (voting) behaviour. By making comparisons with recent statements of failed multiculturalism in the UK and Germany, the focus of the analysis is whether the Dutch developments are unique to its specific pragmatic pillarised culture, or if the perception of multiculturalism is a trend worthy of further attention.