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An approach to the content analysis of evaluative discourse is proposed that is based on identification of meaning objects -- including actors, empirical variables, attributes, norms & values, & abstract philosophical entities -- & of two place predicates -- ie, verbal statements about the relation between one meaning object & another. This relation is interpreted in graph theoretical terms. This technique is applied to political texts & demonstrated to generate reliable content analyses. 11 Diagrams, 1 Appendix, 13 References. Modified HA

The present article discusses the value of anonymous political discussions for everyone who is interested in public opinion, researchers, politicians and journalists. Anonymity is stated to be an essential component, since a lot of disadvantages of conventional opinion polls expose rather the opinion of the masses, rather than that of the public, and are thus less relevant. Compared with a hare freezing in the spotlight, many respondents to political surveys repeat loudly expressed opinions. The authors claim that polls should be connected to moments of informing of the public, and discussing with them, following the alternative of "deliberative polling" described by Fishkin. References. O. van Zijl

In light of the European emergence of extreme right-wing parties, Dutch & Flemish works are reviewed, focusing on the situation in Flanders. In Racistische partijen in West-Europa. Tussen nationale traditie en Europese samenwerking ([Racist Parties in Western Europe between National Tradition and European Cooperation] Leiden, Netherlands: Stichting Burgerschapskunde, 1993), Frank Elbers & Meindert Fennema view extreme Right parties as single-issue (ie, migrants) parties characterized by racism. Their work is found insightful on an international level, but too general regarding the situation in Flanders; further, revision is necessary to account for developments around & since the 1994 European elections. Patrick Stouthuysen's Extreem-rechts in na-oorlogs Europa ([The Extreme Right in Postwar Europe] Brussels, Belgium: VUB, 1993) views extreme Right parties as protest parties with a very unreliable electorate &, therefore, little chance to become influential. The book is balanced in its organization, but the lack of empirical data is deplored & the situation in Flanders is not addressed; although it is suggested that the perspective of right-wing parties as protest parties applies to Flanders as well as to the rest of Western Europe. Jos Vander Velpen's Daar komen ze aangemarcheerd. Extreem-rechts in Europa ([They're Marchin' In. The Extreme Right in Europe] Berchem-Breda, Netherlands: EPO 1992), a work of critical journalism in the Marxist tradition, is found rather one-sided & predictable in its perspective on modern Europe as a new bulwark of nationalism & foreigner hate, but the extensive analysis of the Flemish extreme Right party Vlaams Blok is deemed valuable. Rinke Van den Brink's De internationale van de haat. Extreem-rechts in West-Europa ([The Internationalization of Hate. The Extreme Right in Western Europe] Amsterdam, Netherlands: Uitgeverij SUA, 1994) is a compilation of articles about Western European right-wing parties & interviews with their members & leaders previously published in the critically liberal Dutch magazine Vrij Nederland. The book primarily shows the public image sought & projected by right-wing parties, emphasizing the Vlaams Blok. Strategies toward eradicating extreme right-wing parties are discussed. S. Paul