Where and Why Liberalism and Nativism Have Become Entwined

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter deals with two questions: In what sense has nativism returned to liberal settings? and why? It is argued that notwithstanding the oft assumed polarity in theory, in practice nativism and liberalism have become complexly entwined. The chapter mostly focuses on the Netherlands as an improbable case of nativism, given its assumed multicultural (no), tolerant (not anymore), progressive (yes) character. It is shown that in this “liberal” country par excellence, nativism has returned to public discourse in full force. Two more national contexts figure prominently because they are also considered improbable settings for the rise of nativism: the United States and France. What can be learned from these improbable cases? Why are the jus soli tradition in both France and the United States and the additional dimension in the United States of being an immigration country not safeguards against the rise of nativism?