%0 Thesis
%9 Bachelor
%A Kamps, Pan
%D 2024
%F theses_frw:4527
%P 30
%T The dynamics of political preference and Dutch attitudes towards refugees
%U https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4527/
%X The influx of refugees into Europe has sparked debates about cultural preservation and political agendas. This is also the case for the Netherlands, which has seen a rise in right-wing populist sentiment. Although refugees represent only a small percentage of the total number of immigrants, they attract disproportionate attention in Dutch media and politics, and are often portrayed in a negative light. This study aims to answer following research question: "What is the relationship between political preference and attitude towards refugees in the Netherlands?"  Drawing on existing literature about attitudes, migration and politics, this study conceptualises refugees, attitude and political preference. Political discourse and several socio-demographic control variables are identified as key factors shaping attitudes towards refugees.  Using a quantitative approach, the study examines the relationship between political preferences and attitudes towards refugees in the Netherlands. Data was collected through an online questionnaire. The responses were processed, analysed and entered into an ordered logistic regression. Ethical considerations were paramount throughout the research process.  The ordered logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between political preference, gender and attitudes towards refugees. The overall model fit was significant, suggesting an improvement in prediction over the null model.  By rejecting the null hypothesis: ‘’There is no significant relationship between political preference, age, gender, education level and the odds of having a particular level of agreement on the scale: positive attitude towards refugees ‘’, this study confirms the influence of political preference and gender on attitudes towards refugees. These findings highlight the need for nuanced policy making and public awareness campaigns to foster more inclusive attitudes towards refugees in the Netherlands, ultimately contributing to social cohesion. Policy making could contribute to social cohesion via integrating or enhancing targeted communication strategies. Furthermore, future research should explore additional factors influencing attitudes towards refugees in order to gain more comprehensive insights.