The evolution of Dutch consociationalism, 1917-1997

For a long time, the Netherlands has been characterized by a peculiar mixture of societal segmentation and elite accommodation called consociationalism. This article examines the changes in the conditions for consociationalism from 1917 to 1997. Before 1967 the elites were able to follow the consociational rules and maintain the confidence and allegiance of their followers. In the period from 1967 to 1977, consociationalism was gradually undermined as the dividing lines between the pillars, the overarching elite cooperation, and the political passivity all faded. In the period after 1977, the elites adapted to new forms of flexible consensus-building as the policy distances between the political parties weakened. The main conclusion is that there has been a partial decline of consociationalism : although elite behavior is still accommodating, the relationship with the masses has drastically changed