Dutch Pluralism: A Model in Tolerance for Developing Democracies

The book investigates Dutch pluralism in theory and practice, focusing especially on how a variety of Dutch religious, racial, and ethnic groups keep their subcultural distinctiveness, at the same time interacting on an equal basis with the larger Dutch society. It examines the historical basis of this developing pluralism, and locates Dutch attitudes of considerable tolerance and acceptance of minorities and minority opinion in the major institutions - religious, political, economic, educational, and social. Comparisons and contrasts with other Western pluralist democracies are made. The book is particularly timely in presenting a comprehensive description and analysis of a consociational-pluralist model at a time when many East European and Third World societies are searching for more stable, democratic, pluralist alternatives.