%0 Thesis
%9 Master
%A Oude Vrielink, W.A.M.
%D 2015
%F theses_frw:2135
%T Fading boundaries? International relations and the interest in local, national, European and world politics.
%U https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/2135/
%X As international institutions such as the European Union gain importance, opposition against international integration has been demonstrated as well. This study examines the effect of international social contact on cohesion within and between countries, by analysing the effect of being in a European bi-national couple on the interest in politics at four levels: the city, the country, the European Union and the world. The analysis compares persons in couples consisting of one Dutch person and one non-Dutch European to those in couples with two native Dutch partners. The findings show that persons in a European bi-national couple are more likely to be interested in international politics. No differences in local and national interests are found, except for less interest in national politics among non-Dutch living in the Netherlands. These findings suggest that international contact improves the legitimacy of international institutions without reducing local and national connectedness.