[EB] Missing Dutch Liberals 1988

[Frank Aarebrot]

Hi, 

I'm a bit confused at your query. The party "Venstre" is not the name of the Dutch leberal party, but of the Norwegian Party. It is also the name of a major Danish party which is sometimes classified as a Liberal and sometimes as an Agrarian party. 

Moreover it is not clear what party should be classified as "liberal" in the Dutch system. Historically, the party VVD represents the old liberal tradition, but in the absence of a Conservative Party, many Dutch analysts would probably classify the VVD as playing the role as a modern Conservative - pro market - party which is also Secular. (The CDA playing the role of a conservative and religious party,) The party which plays the "liberal" role of a secular centrist party today is probably D66 (Democrats 66). 

Basically, I would need to know exactly which Dutch party you refer to, from EB.

Regards

Frank Aarebrot

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Leonard Ray" <lray2 at lsu.edu>
To: <EUROBAROMETER at icpsr.umich.edu>
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2000 7:10 AM
Subject: [EB] Missing Dutch Liberals 1988


> 
> Dear list,
> 
> In Eurobarometer #29, all the Dutch supporters of the Venstre <liberals>
> seem to be coded as having no party preference.  I am trying to identify
> which respondents are really liberals, and which are really lacking a party
> preference. Has anyone else encountered this coding error?  If so, have you
> tried to work around it?
> 
> Leonard Ray email:lray2 at lsu.edu
> Department of Political Science tel: (225) 388-2542
> Louisiana State University fax: (225) 388-2540
> Baton Rouge LA 70803      http://ray.poli.lsu.edu
>