Deep Stories of the Borderlands: Understanding the Racialized Carceral State and the Rise of Right-Wing Populism in the Netherlands

• In Event: : Imprisonment, Racialization and Right-Wing Populism in Europe I

Abstract

Central to this examination is the nuanced interrogation of racialized governance practices within the domain of migration control in the Dutch borderlands, posited as a microcosm reflecting broader national trends. Through the prism of 'deep stories'—a concept elucidated by Hochschild (2016) to denote profound, emotionally charged narratives that underlie and shape identities and societal perceptions—this paper scrutinizes the interplay between these localized practices and the ascension of right-wing populism across the Netherlands. In crafting an innovative theoretical framework, this research draws upon the foundational work of Dutch critical race scholars such as Philomena Essed, whose concepts of everyday racism and gendered racialization provide a nuanced understanding of how racial narratives are constructed and sustained within Dutch society. Integrating these perspectives with critical criminological theories, including Alexander’s (2012) mechanisms of cultural exclusion and Wacquant’s (2009) analysis of neoliberalism's impact on racial divisions, the paper explores the specificities of Dutch migration control practices as emblematic of wider national issues.

Further theoretical innovation is achieved by synthesizing the concept of moral panics (Cohen, 1972) with Gilroy’s (2005) notion of postcolonial melancholia, thereby illuminating the exploitation of racial anxieties and historical injustices in the construction of divisive narratives. Through a comprehensive analysis of policy documentation, political discourse, and interviews with border agents and border crossers, the study reveals how state mechanisms of surveillance and control, ostensibly focused on border management, are indicative of and contribute to a larger narrative of racialization and exclusion pervasive throughout the Netherlands and even Europe.
By highlighting the critical role of deep stories in legitimizing the racialized carceral state and energizing right-wing populist ideologies, this paper advances our understanding of the complex interrelations between race, politics, and state power. It calls for a re-evaluation of the narratives that shape political realities and policies, urging criminological scholarship to more deeply engage with the narratives at the intersection of race, populism, and penal policy.

Author

• Maartje van der Woude, Leiden Law School