Interests and Institutions in the Netherlands: An Assessment by the People and by Parliament

Abstract

This article analyzes the background of the very dense and highly institutionalized network of interest groups in the Netherlands. This well-integrated system has recently come under some strain, as a large number of new action groups have sprung up next to the political parties and the older, more established interest groups. On the basis of surveys among members of the Dutch Parliaments in 1968 and 1972 and with a cross-section of the population in 1972, the article analyzes the relative influence—both actual and desired—which members of Parliament and the population ascribe to cabinet ministers, expert members of Parliament, civil servants and party executives; to the more important economic interest groups of employers, workers, farmers and retailers; to the churches; and to voters, action groups, newspapers, radio and tele vision and public opinion polls.