The Decline of Voter Turnout
Before 1970, the Netherlands had compulsory voting, meaning citizens were required to cast their votes in elections. This system ensured broad representation and that the population’s voice was heard. However, due to the impracticality of enforcing penalties, this obligation was abolished. As a result, voter turnout has significantly declined.
Today, only about 50% of Dutch citizens vote. This means that half of the electorate does not even bother to visit the polling stations. Such low participation threatens the legitimacy of democracy, as theoretically, only a few thousand votes could be sufficient to validate elections.
Manipulation of Information and the Role of Technology
With the rise of the internet, social media, and artificial intelligence, information manipulation has become easier than ever. Most people now get their news from short videos and concise social media posts, leading to a shallow understanding of complex political and societal issues.
Those who rely solely on government-affiliated news platforms or social media for their information run a high risk of being misled. Short snippets and algorithmically selected content provide a limited and often biased perspective. The Dutch media is largely owned by Belgian media conglomerates and the government itself, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and the reliability of news reporting. The COVID-19 period highlighted the importance of questioning official information sources.
Government Dependence and Its Impact on Democracy
Another critical factor undermining democracy is the dependence of a large portion of the population on the government. The Netherlands has a substantial social housing sector, where a significant number of households rely on government support. Additionally, millions of Dutch citizens work directly or indirectly for the government.
Currently, 1.6 million people are employed as civil servants, and more than 3 million work in subsidized institutions or government-dependent organizations. This means that nearly 40% of the working population relies financially on the state. This presents a risk: individuals financially dependent on the government are less likely to question the system or vote for changes that could threaten their financial security.
Corruption and Political Interests
Politics revolves around power, status, and financial benefits. This makes politicians and policymakers vulnerable to corruption and conflicts of interest. There are countless examples of political decisions that have proven detrimental to the Netherlands in the long run.
One specific example is the energy policy developed under former PvdA politician Diederik Samsom. Decisions made during his tenure contributed to the current energy crisis and the country’s vulnerability in terms of energy supply. This illustrates how short-term political choices can have long-term consequences for society.
How Can Citizens Counteract These Trends?
Despite these concerning developments, there are still ways to make more informed and well-considered decisions. The key solution is to critically verify information. This means:
- Check the source – Be skeptical of the information you read and verify facts with multiple independent sources.
- Spend time on in-depth analysis – Watch interviews and long discussions instead of short, edited clips that may present a distorted view.
- Diversify your news consumption – Read both Dutch and international media and listen to podcasts in multiple languages to gain a broader perspective.
- Think independently – Do not follow the masses blindly; take responsibility for forming a well-reasoned opinion.
Conclusion
Democracy is under pressure due to declining voter turnout, information manipulation, and citizens’ growing dependence on the government. Political and media influences make it difficult to obtain objective information and make well-informed choices.
However, citizens still have the ability to reclaim control by thinking critically, conducting independent research, and consciously choosing independence in their information sources. Only in this way can a healthy democracy be maintained and prevent democracy from completely abandoning us in the next 10 years.