The New Dutch Immigration Policy and its Effects on Social Capital

This report investigates the influence of Dutch immigration policy, formed in 1998, on Social Capital. The theory on Social Capital used in this research uses a model from Becker and Murphy (2000) as a starting point. We have focused on two variables: ‘integration’ and ‘policy haste’. We conclude that the immigration policy definitely has effects on Social Capital. However we also find that the policy is only short term sighted. Long term problems like future labour shortage are not targeted by the immigration policies of The Netherlands.