Research project
Chair Kingdom Relations: Democratic Representation in the Kingdom
The Chair Democratic Representation in the Kingdom focuses on the political relations between the ‘European’ Netherlands and the six Caribbean islands in the Kingdom; so-called Kingdom Relations. Professor Wouter Veenendaal investigates the quality of democratic representation in the Kingdom, both within the various constituent parts of the Kingdom and at the broader level of Kingdom relations. The central research questions: How are residents of the Dutch Caribbean islands represented by politicians on the islands and within the Kingdom, and what shortcomings can be identified in this regard? How can democratic citizenship and democratic representation of citizens on the islands and within the Kingdom be promoted and improved?
- Duration
- 2024 - 2029
- Contact
- Wouter Veenendaal
- Funding
- Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
Four lines of research
The primary aim of the chair is to safeguard and expand academic research on the Kingdom and Kingdom relations. This is done on the basis of four lines of research: 1) the character of politics and democracy on the Caribbean islands in the Kingdom itself; 2) the democratic representation of the Caribbean islands in the Kingdom; 3) the perception of Kingdom relations in the European Netherlands; and 4) comparative research on other non-sovereign territories in the Caribbean and worldwide.
Cooperation with universities and scholars in the Caribbean islands
The second goal of the chair is to strengthen research and education cooperation with universities and scholars in the Caribbean islands. The chair has therefore established new collaborations with universities on Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten. A research assistant will be recruited on each of these islands to help prepare and carry out research work, and to act as a bridge between these islands and the chair holder. In addition, the chair will develop new educational initiatives on Kingdom Relations, both for people on the Caribbean islands and in the European Netherlands.