ABSTRACT
This chapter shows how Dutch citizens discuss the legitimacy of politics, their influence on political decision-making, and which types of political action are preferred to influence politics in light of the political supply in the Netherlands. The Dutch political system is known as a stable ‘consociational democracy’, a democracy in a segmented society aimed at creating stability through elite level cooperation. Anti-politics and anti-elite feelings, along with immigration, are core themes of Dutch populist parties’ platforms. Discussing politics and political decision-making as an issue for society was sometimes conflated with the influence of banks and businesses. Especially in the higher age groups, choosing financial interest over the interests of Dutch citizens was discussed as a problem for the legitimacy of politics. Discontent about politics was more often related to changing the electoral political system rather than seeking non-electoral ways to influence politics.
