The Netherlands: The reinvention of consensus democracy

Simon Otjes, T. Louwerse, A. Timmermans

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Abstract

The authors examine the development of opposition party behaviour in the Dutch Tweede Kamer between 1998 and 2015. They look at the effect of three major events on opposition party behaviour: the entry of a major radical right-wing populist party (in 2002), the global financial crisis (in 2008) and the advent of minority governments (in 2012). The authors find that consensus democracy is alive. During the economic crisis, the established rules of the game were reinvented to allow for productive cooperation between effectively a minority government and ‘constructive’ opposition parties. Since the crisis, opposition parties with earlier government experience have been increasingly active.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOpposition parties in European legislature
Subtitle of host publicationConflict or consensus?
EditorsElisabetta De Giorgi, Gabriella Ilonszki
Place of PublicationOxford
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter4
Pages53-71
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-135-56101-1
ISBN (Print)978-1-138-67487-5
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Publication series

NameRoutledge Studies on Political Parties and Party Systems

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