Deep Canvassing Emerges as a Tool to Bridge Political Divides in the Netherlands
As the Netherlands heads towards municipal elections on March 18th, a growing movement is employing a technique known as “deep canvassing” to address increasing political polarization. This method, originating in the United States, focuses on personal conversations and empathetic listening to foster understanding between individuals with differing viewpoints.
What is Deep Canvassing?
Deep canvassing involves volunteers going door-to-door to engage in political conversations, but with a unique approach. Rather than attempting to persuade or debate, the focus is on sharing personal stories and actively listening to the perspectives of others. The core principle is to see the person behind the opinion, aiming to reduce alienation and build connections even without reaching agreement. According to Eefje Hendriks of Deep Canvassing Netherlands, listening constitutes approximately 70% of the conversation.
Origins and Early Success in the US
The technique was first developed in 2008 in California, in response to a ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage. Traditional campaigning methods proved ineffective. LGBTI activists then began engaging opponents in personal conversations, discovering that some were open to changing their minds when they felt heard and could share their own experiences. This marked the beginning of deep canvassing as a strategy for shifting perspectives.
Growth in the Netherlands
Deep Canvassing Netherlands began in 2023 with just three individuals and has since expanded to include 150 to 200 volunteers. National Canvas Day XL saw training courses held across the country to prepare volunteers for door-to-door outreach. Hendriks notes that the movement appears to attract individuals with progressive and left-leaning views, but likewise reports a decrease in prejudices towards right-wing voters as volunteers engage with people outside their usual social circles.
Effectiveness and Challenges in the Dutch Context
While research from the United States suggests deep canvassing can be effective, its applicability to the Netherlands is still being studied. Mariken van der Velden, a professor of politics and media at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, points out that door-to-door political campaigning is less common in the Netherlands than in the US. The expression of political polarization differs between the two countries; the US exhibits more overt segregation in spaces like supermarkets, a phenomenon not as pronounced in the Netherlands.
Van der Velden also suggests that alternative methods, such as watching videos featuring personal stories, might be equally effective as face-to-face conversations, potentially due to the ability to foster empathy through different mediums. She advocates for comparative research to determine the most impactful strategies.
Looking Ahead
Deep Canvassing Netherlands is actively collecting data from conversations to analyze the method’s impact. Hendriks welcomes further research to better understand the effectiveness of deep canvassing in the Dutch context. Despite the challenges, the movement represents a novel approach to addressing political divides and fostering more constructive dialogue as the country prepares for municipal elections.