The Netherlands will act as a litmus test on the popularity of the far-right in Europe for the second time in as many years when voters go to the polls this week.
I’m Dutch. The article mentions this, but I think it’s important to reiterate that the idea the Netherlands is especially progressive has always been a bit of a myth. It arose partly because people mistake tolerance for acceptance. The Netherlands has long been a tolerant country. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an accepting country.
For example, the Nazis were able to murder 75% of the Dutch-Jewish population in the Holocaust. Statistically, you were arguably safer being a Jew in Nazi Germany. My countrymen tolerated their Jewish neighbours. But they didn’t care enough about them, to not look the other way or prioritize their career when the Nazis came along. The Dutch are often in denial about this, a bit like how the country still hasn’t fully come to terms with its colonial past.
Anyway, it’s not a huge surprise that right wing populists and Russia have had such success in the Netherlands. They’re exploiting a nasty seam that has always been there.
Thanks for your perspective. I had heard similar from other Dutch people and your comment was useful in fleshing out my understanding. Your second paragraph is especially effective at driving home your point
I’m Dutch. The article mentions this, but I think it’s important to reiterate that the idea the Netherlands is especially progressive has always been a bit of a myth. It arose partly because people mistake tolerance for acceptance. The Netherlands has long been a tolerant country. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an accepting country.
For example, the Nazis were able to murder 75% of the Dutch-Jewish population in the Holocaust. Statistically, you were arguably safer being a Jew in Nazi Germany. My countrymen tolerated their Jewish neighbours. But they didn’t care enough about them, to not look the other way or prioritize their career when the Nazis came along. The Dutch are often in denial about this, a bit like how the country still hasn’t fully come to terms with its colonial past.
Anyway, it’s not a huge surprise that right wing populists and Russia have had such success in the Netherlands. They’re exploiting a nasty seam that has always been there.
Thanks for your perspective. I had heard similar from other Dutch people and your comment was useful in fleshing out my understanding. Your second paragraph is especially effective at driving home your point