Political Culture and National Identities

Specialisation of: History
Degree: Master of Arts in History
Mode of Study: Full-time and part-time
Duration: 1 year (full-time); 1,5 years (part-time)
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 66034
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In the Political Culture and National Identities specialisation you will study the political and national identity of a number of European countries (circa 1800-2010), viewed from an international perspective. Within the specialisation it is also possible to focus upon Political Debate.
A particular characteristic of Political Culture and National Identitiesis that this study distances itself from specifically nationalistic historiography. Not only does the study focus explicitly on comparative history, it also explores the particular relations between diverse countries: the so-called ‘cultural transfer’, the adoption of examples from other countries and the inspiration they engender.

This concept can be applied ideally to the political field, for example for social movements, political parties and parliaments, as well as to the use of symbols and material objects. This means that not only will you look at the history of the political culture and national identities of specific countries, such as the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany or Russia, but that you will also analyse how these countries are influenced from outside through the process of ‘cultural transfer’ — in other words, the adaptation of foreign examples or the inspiration emanating from them. Because the study of the way national politics and identities are conceived is a new research area, students taking this master’s will be at the forefront of this new approach.

Political Culture and National Identities in Europe

You will focus on the connections between the different national cases in Europe. The concept of ‘cultural transfer’ will be transferred to the political domain, for instance with regard to social movements, parties, parliaments and the use of symbols and material objects. In addition, also European and international or supra-national organisations, such as those involved in post-War European unification, can be studied as platforms of cultural and political transfer.

Questions concerning national identity, the EU, democracy and populism are frequently to be seen on the front pages of newspapers. They are also at the centre of many debates between historians and other groups in society. By studying these issues you will be qualified to contribute to these debates.

The programme in the last few years offered research seminars on (among other things):

  • The influence of international debates on the Irish Revolution of 1916-1923
  • The social, political and cultural impact of the First World War on Germany, the Netherlands and the UK
  • Tourism and the Creation of National Identity
  • The Power of Organising and the Rise of Democracy, ca. 1780-1914

The political debate: history and rhetoric

Since the recent electoral success of such politicians as Fortuyn, Wilders and Marijnissen, the political debate in the Netherlands has been in the spotlight. The debating style of politicians and members of the House of Representatives is under discussion in television programmes and the print media. What makes a person good in debates? What may you say and what may you not say? And how important is the way a politician presents himself?

You will learn about the different forms of political discussion and the issues surrounding the rules of debate. You will attend lectures on the historical development of the debating culture in the Netherlands, the linguistic, argumentation and rhetorical analysis of the political debate. You will also be trained in debating by the Netherlands Debating Institute. The programme is unique in the Netherlands. The language of instruction is Dutch.

Prof. Henk te Velde

Henk te Velde

“Historians in Leiden use the riches of the University in order to give their students a good education.”

“Over a period of a few years, a whole new generation of professors has been appointed at the History Department in Leiden; the department is bustling with energy in a friendly and professional atmosphere. All sections of the department have their own attractions and strengths.

Our strong section of Ancient History, for instance, benefits from the presence in Leiden of the largest department of Classics in the Netherlands; Medieval History has a strong tradition of research in the later Middle Ages and is now joining forces with the specialists in the early modern period, who have a strong and promising research team working on public and private memory of the Dutch Revolt.

Historians of European expansion and globalisation are working together with specialists on non-European culture and history in other parts of the Faculty of Humanities, which has always been famous for its expertise in this field. They also co-operate with the specialists of the history of migration, which has rapidly developed into one of the new strengths of the department. One of the professors working in this area is based at the Campus The Hague of Leiden University.

In my own field of study, the history of political culture, we are working together with colleagues studying politics in such fields as political science and constitutional law. This combination also makes it easier to work together with government agencies, who are just around the corner, in The Hague. For classes on the history of political debate I myself benefit from the expertise of the colleagues of the Dutch department.

This again is just one example of the many ways historians in Leiden use the riches of Leiden University in order to give their students a good education and an exciting period of study.”