Policy-making in an ivory tower. A case study analysis of Dutch foreign policy on the Israel-Hamas war
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2024-07-12
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en
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This thesis investigates the factors influencing Dutch foreign policy on the Israel-Hamas war. Putnam’s two-level game framework serves to examine interactions between domestic and international levels in foreign policy-making. The influence of alliances on foreign policy is studied using alliance theory, while public opinion serves as a domestic influence on Dutch foreign policy. Additionally, this thesis investigates how the Dutch government attempts to legitimize its foreign policy towards the population by employing framing theory and Domestic Digital Diplomacy (DDD).
This research is based on a single case study approach and qualitative analysis. Process tracing and document analysis will be used to analyze foreign policy sources. Framing will be investigated through structured content analysis.
This thesis found that alliances significantly influence small states' foreign policy, whereas domestic factors do not. Furthermore, this study concludes that the government’s framing strategy did not result in a convincing shift in public opinion. The gap between public opinion and the government’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war is thus highly likely to persist.
By examining how different factors influence Dutch foreign policy, this research contributes to the debate on whether the national or international level is most decisive for foreign policy-making. Furthermore, it contributes to understanding how governments may use framing to legitimize their foreign policy. Lastly, using a most likely case, this thesis aims to contribute to the development of alliance theory and explore how it must be further developed.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen