The puzzle of Dutch welfare state retrenchment

Bibliographic Data

ID6408432
AuthorsChristoffer Green-Pedersen (0000-0001-7153-9634, Aarhus University, corresponding author), Christoffer Green‐pedersen
Year2001
Volume24
Issue3
Pages135-150
Publication date2001-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueWest European Politics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0140-2382 • E-ISSN: 1743-9655
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01402380108425456
OpenAlexW1966995050
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited36

In the literature on welfare state retrenchment and in the general emphasis on the resilience of welfare states, the Dutch case appears puzzling by virtue of the fact that significant retrenchments have actually taken place in the Netherlands. It appears even more puzzling considering that the arguments in this literature as to the difficulties in welfare state retrenchments apply very well to this case, whereas the arguments as to why after all welfare state retrenchments are possible do not apply particularly well. This article argues that the explanation for the Dutch puzzle should be found in Dutch politics. Due to the power of the CDA as a pivotal centre party, the PvdA was at an early stage forced to accept welfare state retrenchment. A party consensus thus emerged allowing Dutch governments to define the issue of welfare state retrenchment as a matter of economic necessity

Economics · Market economy · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public economics · Retrenchment · State (computer science · Welfare · Welfare state · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · European Union Policy and Governance · Law · Public Administration · Social Policy and Reform Studies

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