Yabloko's noble fight for freedom and democracy is something
the Dutch party D66 can strongly relate to. Although the point
of departure was different when our party was founded in 1966,
democracy is always a work in progress and D66 has always
been committed to holding Dutch democracy to the highest possible
standard.
In the 1960s, Dutch politics were heavily dominated by the
four 'pillars' that made up our society at the time: the socialist
labourers, the Catholics, the Protestants and the liberal
'bourgeoisie'. The Dutch people were blindly loyal to the
political parties at the top of their pillars, which resulted
in a stale political landscape where all the real decisions
were made by party elites negotiating amongst each other.
The founder of D66, Hans van Mierlo, sought to break through
these pillars, formulate a realistic alternative, and end
the political stalemate in which the voters had little say
in actual government policies. The greatest symbol of his
success was the formation of a government in 1994, which for
the first time ever did not include the Christian Democrats.(1)
The self-evident nature of power in the hands of the established
parties was permanently done away with.
Another novel aspect which was injected into politics by D66
was the rejection of dogmatism. D66 always questions entrenched
interests and seeks pragmatic solutions to the challenges
faced by society. Of course, a party can never be completely
free from ideology. If one guiding principle of D66 would
have to be identified, it would be the maximisation of freedom
of choice for every individual in society. Herein lies the
core of our particular version of liberalism.
D66 thus rejects the purely economic version of (neo-)liberalism,
which seeks to maximise the power of the free market and curb
the power and size of the state. This is the liberalism practised
by the Dutch VVD. In contrast, D66 recognises that the state
may have a role in removing obstacles for individuals, granting
them the possibility to reach the maximum of their potential
and the freedom to live their lives the way they choose.
This principle is at the heart of our social liberalism, and
it also inspires the progressivism D66 stands for. Going against
the grain of tradition, D66 has always stood for people's
freedom to marry who they wish, to end their lives when they
can no longer bear to live, and to elect important public
officials such as mayors and the Prime Minister. These are
just a few examples of the ways in which D66 has sought to,
and still seeks to, increase individual freedoms and political
participation.
Our vision is set out most clearly and comprehensively in
the following five points, which have been our guiding lights
in recent years:
- Trust in people’s own power
We believe in the power of people and their ability to develop
as individuals. This is why we feel optimistic about the future.
People have the creative ability to keep coming up with new
solutions. We want a government that supports people’s intrinsic
creativity and resourcefulness. Individual people are the
key to change and we want a government that acknowledges this
fact. What people can do for themselves and for others is
far more important and effective than anything a government
might legislate.
- Think and act internationally
Societies are becoming interdependent in an ever increasing
number of ways. We welcome the world and exclude no-one. In
everything we do, we consider the effects our actions may
have on others in the world. We recognise that Europe and
the Netherlands are increasingly becoming one. International
cooperation and economic progress are the keys to a world
with fewer wars and conflicts. Our decisions must be pragmatic,
level-headed and based on facts.
- Reward performance and share wealth
People differ from one another, yet at the same time they
are all equal. Each individual is unique and we want a government
that provides the freedom for those differences to flourish.
We seek economic independence for as many people as possible
and we believe in rewarding those who excel. We want a dynamic,
open society in which everyone has the freedom to make their
own decisions and to develop as they wish. We consider it
a matter of course that wealth should be shared. We want to
see as many people as possible participating socially and
economically because that is the road to increased prosperity
for everyone. We acknowledge that for we all share responsibility
for those in our society in less fortunate social and economic
circumstances.
- Work toward a sustainable and harmonious society
We want to embrace the world with respect and compassion.
That respect and compassion applies both to the people around
us and our environment. The earth is neither our personal
property and nor an expendable consumer good. We wish to end
the depletion and pollution of our environment. We feel the
discussion on the environment should shift the burden of proof
from having to find arguments in defence of preservation to
arguments in defence of exploitation.
- Cherish our civil rights and shared values
The fundamental values of our society are freedom and equality
for everyone, regardless of belief, religion, sexual orientation,
political views or ethnicity. Physical safety, non-violent
solutions to conflicts of interest and the respectful exercise
of freedom of expression as well as good governance and rule
of law, form our core values. These values are universal and
paramount. We defend civil rights, both at home and elsewhere.
Practical Example
When starting up a new business, an entrepeneur should not
be burdened by too many regulations; the government should
simply make sure that this individual can make the most of
his potential, mainly through education (trust in individual
strength). The entrepreneur should be able to reap the benefits
of European integration by working across EU borders (think
internationally). If he were to go bankrupt, the government
should not leave this person to his own devices, but also
should not allow him to sit back and live comfortably off
social security (reward performance, share wealth). In running
his business, the entrepreneur should abide by rules that
protect the environment and work for a sustainable future.
Finally, in employing other people in his business, discrimination
is out of the question (civil rights).
(1) The ideology of the Christian Democratic party (CDA)
is founded upon the Gospel as principle and inspiration when
seeking solutions to the challenges of this time. On the political
spectrum, CDA is located in the middle between social-democrats
and market-oriented conservatives.
***
Marietje Schaake
Member of European Parliament (the ALDE Group). Member of
Committee on Culture and Education, Delegation for relations
with the United States, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Delegation
for relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia,
Montenegro and Kosovo. Member of Dutch liberal party Democraten
66 (D66). Advisor to the President of the Leadership Conference
on Civil Rights, Wade Henderson, and the US Ambassador to
The Netherlands, Roland Arnall, on managing diversity in pluralist
societies, integration issues and Muslims in the West; designing
and managing projects with Dutch and American business, civil
society, political and government players (2006-2008). Founder
and chairman of the Senior Fellow Network (2004-2007). Founding
member of the American Chamber of Commerce Young Professional
Network (2007-2009). Founding member of the British Council
Transatlantic Network 2020 (2008-2009). Member of the German
Marshall Fund's Transatlantic Forum on Migration and Integration
(2008-2009). Member of the Board, Martin Luther King Award
Europe (2008-2009).
See also:
Russia
and EU
YABLOKO
Sister-Parties
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