Summary
Jan Vis
Onwetendheid over Europa en Europese Grondwet leidt tot pseudo-opinies
Jan Vis addresses the question whether the Dutch voters are well-prepared for the referendum on the European Union Constitution which will be held on June 1st. Voters can express themselves on the following question 'Are you for or against the Nether-lands accepting the terms of the treaty establishing a constitution for Europa?' The voter will thus be asked to give his or her opinion on the Constitution. There is a fairly general consensus that citizens who are expressing opinions and taking positions on political issues should base these opinions and positions on knowledge. Research shows that political knowledge matters in having stable opinions on political problems and issues. There is a clear relation between levels of political knowledge and stability of opinion. Since an overwhelming majority of the Dutch voters is not very familiar with European affairs - and it is not likely they will become well-informed in the two months to come - one may doubt the quality of the outcome of the Dutch referendum. The vote 'for' or 'against' of a large part of the Dutch voters will therefore be a pseudo-opinion rather than a considered one.