Netherlands must find a new position in crumbling world order

The Netherlands can no longer rely on a stable world order dominated by the West. Major geopolitical shifts are emerging, with new powers and economic and social activities increasingly influenced by geopolitics. With these conclusions, the Dutch government acknowledges the Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR) analysis of the fragmenting world order. Moreover, the government endorses the need for adjustments in policy and strategy. The WRR report was published last summer, thus before the election of Donald Trump.

The cabinet emphasizes the need for strengthened resilience against hybrid and military threats and, therefore, invests in defense, cyber security, and economic security. At the same time, it advocates a realistic foreign policy that protects Dutch interests and promotes cooperation with allies. The cabinet sees strategic partnerships as essential, especially with emerging powers, and is committed to an assertive diplomatic approach.

Stronger EU geopolitical capacity to act

In addition, the government endorses the importance of a stronger EU geopolitical capacity to act and a reassessment of multilateral cooperation. The Netherlands wants to contribute to a resilient, geopolitical EU and is committed to reforming international institutions. A public-private geopolitical council will strengthen collaboration between government, business, and knowledge institutions.

Finally, the Cabinet recognizes that adjustments can be complex and costly but emphasizes the need for societal awareness and resilience. A public campaign and cooperation with society should contribute to a widely supported geopolitical strategy. The Netherlands must proactively and strategically adapt to the changing world order. “The time when our country could count on a favorable international context is over.”

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The WRR organizes a Geo Tour consisting of interactive sessions at ministries, implementing organizations, other governments, and (civil society) parties. Based on the report, participants will discuss the significance of geopolitical developments in the relevant policy areas and enter into a dialogue about the implications for their strategic frameworks, priorities, working methods, and partnerships.

Resilience, prosperity, and values

The time when the Netherlands could move along on international relations favorable to our country is over, according to the WRR report. There are profound changes in international relations and it is unclear what kind of new world order this will lead to. Meanwhile, Dutch governments, businesses, citizens and social connections are already dealing with this on a daily basis. All have to learn to play the geopolitical game for raw materials, knowledge, influence, security and all kinds of other resources. That game has become increasingly grim in recent years.

In the report, the WRR analyzes the primary geopolitical shifts based on three axes of fragmentation: poles of power, scenes of power exercise, and worldviews. These fragmentations are more likely to create tensions between the three strategic priorities within which foreign policy moves: resilience, prosperity, and values (3W: weerbaarheid, welvaart, waarden). Using this 3W framework, the council argues that the geopolitical shifts also have far-reaching consequences for the Netherlands.

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