The Politics of Government Communication: An Examination of the Work Practices of Government Communication Professionals in Queensland and the Netherlands Author Kraaier, Niels Published 2017 Thesis Type Thesis (PhD Doctorate) School School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science DOI https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/2529 Copyright Statement The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/365377 Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au The Politics of Government Communication An examination of the work practices of government communication professionals in Queensland and the Netherlands Niels Kraaier MA (Hons1) Journ&MassComm School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science Arts, Education & Law Griffith University Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy June 2016 The Politics of Government Communication 1 The Politics of Government Communication Abstract The nature of government communication in a range of global settings has received growing attention from scholars around the world. However, no considered examination of the subject exists that provides either an account of the contemporary landscape regarding government communication, or an exploration of common and diverging themes on a cross-national basis. This thesis aims to fill this gap. It elucidates the work practices of government communication professionals in Queensland and the Netherlands and considers these practices within their political contexts and national cultures: the Westminster system and a “masculine” society in Australia versus the multiparty system and a “feminine” society in the Netherlands. The study builds on the work of Dutch-American political scientist Arend Lijphart, who found that policies supported by a broad consensus are more likely to be successful than policies imposed by a “decisive” government against the wishes of broad sections of society; as well as on research done by Dutch social psychologist Geert Hofstede, who distinguishes between so-called “masculine societies” such as Australia where “the winner takes it all” and “feminine societies” such as the Netherlands where participation is more important than winning. The degree and forms of changes surrounding the work practices of government communication professionals are to a large extent determined by the cultural and political context in which they take place and thus cannot be assumed universal. The thesis is based on a series of qualitative interviews with government communication professionals in Queensland and the Netherlands. It finds that in Queensland the work of government communication professionals is heavily dependent on those in power. In the Netherlands, on the other hand, not only the 2 The Politics of Government Communication policy-making process but also government communication appears to be consensus-based. The result is a large degree of freedom of action for government communication professionals, with some considering their role as part of the fourth estate, scrutinising the activities of cabinet members. There are nuances to this, however, and the research identifies a section of government communication professionals in the Netherlands who are subject to increasing political pressures. It is argued, then, that both Queensland and the Netherlands are witnessing a blurring of lines between government and political communication. 3 The Politics of Government Communication Statement of originality and ethical clearance This work has not previously been submitted for a degree or diploma in any university. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the thesis itself. The research for this thesis was authorised by the Griffith University Ethics Committee under the protocol number HUM/29/12/HREC. (Signed) Niels Kraaier 4 The Politics of Government Communication Table of contents Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 2 Statement of originality and ethical clearance ........................................................................... 4 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 8 1. Overview: Mapping out the study .......................................................................................... 9 1.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 9 1.2. Previous studies ........................................................................................................... 13 1.3. Queensland and the Netherlands ................................................................................ 14 1.4. Government communication versus political communication ...................................... 22 1.5. Why government communication? ............................................................................... 25 1.6. Cultures and organisations .......................................................................................... 28 1.7. Summary ...................................................................................................................... 29 2. Nations and the politics of culture ....................................................................................... 31 2.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 31 2.2. Culture according to Hofstede ...................................................................................... 31 2.3. Cultural dimensions ...................................................................................................... 41 2.4. Patterns of democracy ................................................................................................. 50 2.5. Summary ...................................................................................................................... 67 3. Government communication in context ............................................................................... 69 3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 69 3.2. Government communication around the world ............................................................ 69 3.3. Government communication in Queensland ................................................................ 78 3.4. Government communication in the Netherlands .......................................................... 87 3.5. Summary ...................................................................................................................... 97 4. Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 99 4.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 99 4.2. Methodology, theory and other conceptual tools ....................................................... 101 4.3. Recruitment of participants ........................................................................................ 103 4.4. Data collection methods ............................................................................................. 105 4.5. Five-point Likert scale ................................................................................................ 106 4.6. Data analysis .............................................................................................................. 107 4.7. Anonymity of participants ........................................................................................... 109 4.8. Research across languages and cultures .................................................................. 111 4.9. Summary .................................................................................................................... 114 5 The Politics of Government Communication 5. Participant background and approach to work .................................................................. 115 5.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 115 5.2. Queensland ................................................................................................................ 116 5.3. The Netherlands ......................................................................................................... 118 5.4. Ten statements .......................................................................................................... 122 5.5. Summary .................................................................................................................... 124 6. Case study 1: Queensland ................................................................................................ 126 6.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 126 6.2. Key Finding 1: Queensland’s unique political environment ........................................ 128 6.3. Key Finding 2: Political biases and ‘sympathies’ ........................................................ 136 6.4. Key Finding 3: Conflicting