Domestic factors in the making of defense policy: The case of the Netherlands

The importance of domestic factors in explaining the foreign-policy process can, today, not be overlooked. It has been suggested that four sets of variables play an important role in determining the chances for domestic groups to exercise influence on this process: external autonomy, internal (domestic) consensus, the availability of time and the presence or absence of conditions of influence such as legitimacy, resources and access. From a series of case studies on foreign policymaking in the Netherlands two were selected for this article: the introduction of the neutron warheads and the deployment of cruise missiles. Both were very controversial in the Netherlands. They show that under favourable conditions, i.e. divisions within the ruling Christian Democratic Party, committed and well-organized domestic groups which are capable of keeping public opinion mobilized over time can have an important and even decisive influence on the outcome of the making of defence and foreign policy. Domestic conditions being what they are, the making of defense policy in the Netherlands is bound to remain a delicate balancing act for any Dutch government.