The Netherlands are internationally known for their liberal policies on euthanasia, abortion and soft drugs. The country is governed according to the principles of the ‘polder model’, which aims at a broad societal consensus. A few years ago, the rise of laid Mr. Fortuyn brought an undercurrent of dissent to the surface. People seem to feel unrepresented and unable to influence public governance. Are the Netherlands as liberal as some say?

In Dutch politics coalition building is at the basis of each government. Multiple parties form a coalition, after they have negotiated compromises on their initial agendas. It might create a stable political environment, but it comes at a price. Firstly, representation is diluted. Those who vote for a coalition party might see important issues disappear from the agenda. Secondly, it takes a long time and effort to find consensus, which is disadvantageous in times of rapid change. Thirdly, as politicians close deals, it becomes more difficult to hold them accountable. The latter is of utmost importance to the functioning of a democracy.

In the experience of the public their voice has lost relevance. Declining turnout ratios on election day seem to reflect this. The lack of accountability and the reciprocal appointing of (failing) civil servants add to the feeling of powerlessness. Citizens do not have tools to intervene and to steer policy. Parliament is passive, as the majority supports the government.

Recent developments have added to this perception. The minister for ‘governmental renewal’ resigns, because his law and spearhead, to allow for mayors to be elected, is voted down by the senate. A few months later he is appointed as a mayor himself. During election campaigning, Mr. Bos, the social democrat candidate for the office of Prime Minister, states that he does not serve as a minister under Prime Minister Balkenende. In the end, he does.

When the representative democracy was reinstated centuries ago, it was intended to give people a voice in policy making. The idea was to have ‘experts’ controlling the government. Nowadays, having an opinion makes one qualify for this job. Socialists have degraded debates to sessions where complaints are exchanged. Under socialistic governments the state has grown and the quality of representation has diminished.

We need a change. We need to reinvent the ‘trias politicas’. The US governmental system serves as an example. Members of both chambers should be directly elected. We could instate constituencies, e.g. provinces and urban areas. We should switch to a presidential system, where the president gets elected on a specific agenda. In the end, parliament and senate are in control, when they introduce and amend legislation or impeach members of the administration.

It is the task of a liberal state to guard the sovereignty of the people. The Dutch are not there yet.