Globalization Tests Dutch Liberalism

One of the most pervasive repercussions of globalization has been the rise of protectionism and xenophobia in many developed countries that for many years have been regarded has the most liberal and open societies on earth. In the United States, we have always had a swinging pendulum between more porous borders and putting up protectionist shields. In Europe, many societies are dealing with massive peacetime immigration for the first time in their histories. In a July 1 Washington Post article, "Liberal Dutch Identity is Tested" the resurgence of the orthodox Christian Union party is profiled. A fascinating NPR series, "Europe's Right Turn", which aired last November, analyzes this political shift throughout the rest of the continent.