QUID PRO QUO?

An effective way for policy makers to make their point on highly politicized issues like integration and migration is by framing the issue. In this thesis, three of the four most common frames within the integration debate in the Netherlands, the multicultural, the assimilationist and the universalist frame were discussed, in order to find out which frame dominated in the policies in two of the four largest municipalities in the Netherlands. The choice for municipalities was informed by a recent shift in the academic discussion on integration and migration from a focus on a national approach to a more local approach. This thesis builds on the new focus on local conditions by comparing the frame usage in the labour market integration approaches of status holders of the municipalities of Rotterdam and Utrecht. Therefore, the main research question of this thesis is: “How can we understand the similarities or differences in the frame usage of the municipalities Rotterdam and Utrecht towards labour market integration of status holders?” In order to answer the main research question, the following sub-questions were asked: - How does the municipality of Rotterdam frame labour market integration of status holders? - How does the municipality of Utrecht frame labour market integration of status holders? - What are the similarities and differences in these frame usages? This was done on the basis of a qualitative multiple case study, by which policy notes of both municipalities were analysed, in order to find out which reasoning and framing devices were used in the texts. This way, the dominant frame could be derived. More background knowledge on the chosen frame was found by interviewing policy makers of both municipalities about their labour market integration approach. As the political and institutional factor generally play a large role in local integration policy, it was expected beforehand that their frame usage would differ a lot. Based on the political backgrounds of both municipal coalitions, the assumption was that Utrecht would mainly communicate a multiculturalist frame, whereas Rotterdam was assumed to be more assimilationist. After the desk research it became clear that, despite different political colours in the their executive boards, the municipalities were more alike than what had been expected beforehand. The framing and reasoning devices were very similar and it became clear that in both municipalities the universalist frame is most dominant. Nonetheless, the interviews indicated that they did differ in policy implementation, as it became clear that in Rotterdam, some assimilationist traits are still in place. This mainly showed how there is often a discrepancy between policy formulation and policy implementation. Apparently, both municipalities were mainly influenced by the political factor, which made this discrepancy possible among others. The institutional factor was mainly visible in the way in which the previous, more right-wing coalition of Rotterdam continued to play a large role in the implementation of the labour market integration approach of Rotterdam. The left-wing coalition also had its effects on Utrecht, as it has been willing to invest in status holders for a long time. Other factors also influenced the framing, like for example, populist tensions in society or the national research which showed the detrimental effects of the current labour market approach. We can thus conclude that while policy formulations and policy framing in municipalities may be very similar, it is necessary to look further into the process to find out the real differences. For further research it is advised to also take the political actors into consideration as respondents, as they could shed more light on the reasons behind these frame usages. Moreover, it could be interesting to find out the exact extent to which a certain frame dominates in a certain municipality by conducting a quantitative research. It may also be informative for policy makers themselves to find out how status holders themselves frame the policy of which they are the aim, as this could give policy makers important insights in the effectivity of their approach.