How can the Netherlands form a stable government?
Dutch politics is becoming increasingly polarised, and forming stable governments seems more difficult than ever. Is there a magic formula for political stability? In the heat of the election race, a psychologist and a historian offer cool-headed advice.
Beware of anger as a political strategy
Politicians often deliberately use emotion to reinforce their message, says psychologist Gert-Jan Lelieveld. ‘It’s partly theatre, designed to attract media attention and connect with voters on an emotional level. Research shows that emotions are contagious. When one politician reacts strongly, others tend to follow suit. For the general public, this emotional spectacle can be confusing or exhausting.’
While emotional and intense negotiation may seem effective in the short term, it rarely leads to lasting results, Lelieveld adds. ‘Strong emotions can trigger stress in others and provoke a defensive response. That can hinder genuine cooperation or compromise. Negotiators who actively listen and show empathy are quicker to build trust and are more likely to reach lasting agreements.’
‘Disappointment can be more effective than anger’
Tip for negotiators
From his own research on the impact of anger and disappointment, Lelieveld offers a tip for politicians wanting to use emotions as a tactic in negotiations. ‘Anger mainly works if the other party sees your emotion as justified. Otherwise, it tends to lead to conflict rather than cooperation. Disappointment, on the other hand, is a more subtle emotion. It often leaves more room for connection and can evoke empathy or even guilt.
‘Our research also shows that in some negotiations, disappointment can trigger guilt in others. That’s why disappointment is often more effective than anger because it invites the other party to take responsibility without putting them immediately on the defensive.’
Consider a minority government
PhD candidate Corné Smit studies minority governments – cabinets formed by parties that do not hold a majority in parliament. While these are often seen as unstable in the Netherlands, Smit sees potential. ‘Broad majority coalitions often fail to make substantial progress on key issues’, he explains. A minority government can work with different majorities, allowing for more flexible agreements on specific topics. You could reach an agreement with one group of parties on nitrogen policy, for example, and with another on support for Ukraine. This makes politics more agile and less dependent on difficult compromises in the centre.
Reduce the rise of political extremes
Minority governments may also help reduce the rise of political extremes. At present, nearly all centrist parties must join forces to form a majority coalition, which can dilute their identity and drive disappointed voters toward the fringes. A minority cabinet allows centrist parties to vote against government policy on certain issues, says Smit. ‘This makes it easier for them to maintain their identity, preventing voters from gravitating to extremist parties.’
In the run-up to the Dutch elections, Leiden researchers from different disciplines explain key political issues.