The politics of the policymaking process in the Netherlands

Abstract

This chapter provides a general introduction to the politics of public policymaking in the Netherlands. It maps and discusses the cross-cutting institutions and mechanisms that provide rules of the game and structure interactions in the policy process. It presents key recurrent characteristics of Dutch policymaking processes and assesses their strengths and weaknesses. Its arguments include that—although it has become progressively more difficult during the last decade—forging compromises on contentious issues across political divides and with regard for minority viewpoints has continued to be the oil that lubricates the fractured and potentially fractious arenas of Dutch policymaking. The chapter then discusses the evolution of Dutch public policy scholarship. It concludes by arguing the need for rebuilding the country’s once strong policy capacity and by suggesting two avenues for future research.