From Degrees to Seats : Exploring the Influence of Candidate Selection on Educational Representation in Dutch Parliament

Abstract: Contemporary liberal democracies highlight representation as a fundamental aspect of their functioning. However, the representation of different education levels in the Netherlands, as in other Western democracies, is lacking. This research focuses on the underrepresentation of citizens without higher education degrees in the Dutch Parliament and investigates the role of the candidate selection process of political parties in perpetuating this issue. By examining different candidate selection procedures, and the formal and informal norms that influence the assessment of candidates, this study sheds light on the factors contributing to the underrepresentation of this group. This is done through in-depth interviews with people involved in the creation of the candidate lists in Dutch political parties, complemented by an analysis of party documents. The results highlight the impact of the candidate selection process on the representation of citizens without higher education. Formal norms, such as requirements for party membership and the favourable treatment of incumbents, negatively influence the inclusion of individuals without higher education. Similarly, informal norms surrounding the emphasis on political experience and the absence of education level in diversity policies, disadvantage candidates lacking higher education. Nevertheless, there are aspects working in their favour, such as accessible training courses and the growing recognition of the value of lived experiences in certain parties. The study concludes that the candidate selection process influences the underrepresentation of citizens without higher education in Dutch politics overall negatively, however, other influences from the demand side or general trends in society pose a large influence on their underrepresentation as well.