Summary
Corry van Renselaar
Wat bindt Nederlanders aan Europa?
Corry van Renselaar states that European integration and a self-confident Netherlands pursuing its own interests are important for the Dutch economy. The author assesses the state of European integration and the awareness of a national identity in the Netherlands following the referendum on the European Constitutional Treaty. It is the result of research conducted by the Nederlandsche Bank. This research reveals that some two thirds of the population supports the Netherlands being a member state of European Union; yet, only one quarter supports the thesis that the integration process has brought welfare to the Netherlands. The involvement with Europe is low, the confidence in its political and democratic functioning even less. Only few Dutchmen believe that Europe exists for the benefit of its citizens. The Dutch motivation and inspiration for European cooperation can be found in the economic sphere. In the EU, a majority of the population believes, the defence of the Dutch economic and monetary interests is embedded.