“Through a Glass Darkly: The Importance of Beliefs and Emotions to International Relations: How the Dutch Perceive Germans and Germany”

Aspeslagh, Robert and Dekker, Henk. (1999) “Through a Glass Darkly: The Importance of Beliefs and Emotions to International Relations: How the Dutch Perceive Germans and Germany” . In European Union Studies Association (EUSA) > Biennial Conference > 1999 (6th), June 2-5, 1999, pages 21, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Abstract

Several questions are dealt with in this contribution: Do beliefs about a foreign country have any effect on behavior? Is it relevant to study beliefs about other countries of citizens, who do not belong to the political elites? Do surveys into beliefs contribute to a better understanding of the nature of international relations? Is emotionality a distinct variable in international relations? What can be the consequences of beliefs for Europe? Can we speak of Germany as a ‘normal’ state and to what extent could ‘normality’ support the disappearance of negative beliefs and emotions vis à vis Germany? In this paper we will present the surveys into Dutch beliefs about the European Union, in particular with respect to Germany and Germans.