The Netherlands is often described as a country of paradoxes. Born in the sixteenth century as a republic within a world almost exclusively dominated by monarchies, it is now one of the few constitutional monarchies left in a world in which the republican form of government is the rule rather than the exception. In a nation that is thoroughly modern and democratic, the monarchy – which seems an embodiment of tradition and authority – enjoys surprisingly broad and stable public support. In fact, although the Dutch almost pride themselves on the absence of patriotism and flag-waving, it is only the monarchy that evokes symbols of nationalism comparable to that of other nations, and citizens gladly unite under the orange color of the Dutch royal house.

The Dutch political stage does not particularly contribute to a sense of political unity, since it is highly fragmented into a large number of political parties and movements boggling the mind even of the most invested local insider. Such fragmentation is enhanced by an electoral system based on the principle of proportionality, allowing all voices to be heard in the elections. With turnout rates for national elections around 75 percent on average, a substantial part of the Dutch electorate seems to consider it important to have their voice be heard. It may seem paradoxical then that actual government formation can lead to outcomes which seem to contradict the public voice, as it is subject to negotiations between political parties. Furthermore, the prime minister is not elected, but appointed by “royal decree,” and so are the heads of the provincial governments and the city mayors.

Dutch representative democracy thus seems to be determined by a delicate but self-evident balance between active citizens’ participation in political elections and governance by coalitions and appointed executives. Amid this paradoxical interplay of political forces, the hereditary monarch serves as a symbol of national unity and represents the continuity of the nation.

The Orange Dynasty

The Netherlands was a republic until the early nineteenth century. The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands, which surrendered to French rule under Napoleon in 1795, was replaced by a Batavian Republic, which in turn made way for a Kingdom of Holland under Louis Bonaparte – the emperor's brother – in 1806.