5 Reasons The Netherlands Is So Progressive When America was at the brink of being discovered,
the Dutch were undergoing their Golden Era between the 16th and 18th century.
The Dutch were always way ahead of the curve.
Here are five reasons the Netherlands is such a liberal and progressive country.
Number one: Laws and Policies The Dutch legalized prostitution in 2000 and
euthanasia in 2001.
They decriminalized soft drugs like cannabis and ecstasy in 1992 with large amounts allowed
for possession.
Drug related deaths in Netherlands is one of the lowest in Europe.
The World Drug Report showed that the prevalence of cannabis use in Netherlands is less than
half that of the United States.
What the Dutch discovered was that by turning a blind eye or by legalizing certain aspects
of society, they actually reduced the overall criminal rate.
While coffeeshops are technically not allowed to sell cannabis and getting caught with 5
grams is a criminal offense, the Dutch realize the important of letting things go, a policy
that has allowed them to maintain a healthy society.
Number two: Pragmatism The Dutch are uncomplicated and pragmatic
people and that is evident from the way they handle their daily lives.
There are always proponents of hate as in any democracy, but these have always been
heavily resisted in the more urban areas.
This can even be observed through their legislations.
While they acknowledge that prostitution is a problem they also realize that it would
happen regardless, so they legalized it and educated those working in the industry to
reduce the risk.
Even with topics as sensitive as underage sex, the Dutch are rational.
At the age of 12 children are provided with sex education and can go anonymously to a
clinic to get contraceptives.
While this would give parents worldwide a heart attack, research has shown that the
Dutch have their first sexual experiences relatively late compared to more conservative
societies.
Number three: Their history The Dutch East India Company was a first of
its kind global corporation that not only traded, but colonized many countries, including
present-day New York City.
Its wide expansion across the globe brought together many international flavors.
Their liberal tradition began as far back as the 16th century.
The orthodox and the lower class were not in favor of this although the nobles were.
In fact, they were the ones who introduced religious tolerance and were the guiding force
behind the constitution.
They were also among the first to introduce universal suffrage.
They saw some trouble post World War II when the conservative rule tried to break up the
welfare state, but the liberals saw a massive resurgence and since 1918, all the way to
present day, there has been an increase in the liberal seats.
Due to this, they learned to live in harmony even if they didn't always agree.
Number four: Pillarization Many people had to live behind dikes well
below sea level so they were always in danger of being flooded.
This led them to cooperate with one another even if they didn't see eye to eye.
In the late 19th century, this tolerance transformed into pillarization where religious groups
coexisted separately and interacted at the level of the government.
It is due to these pillars that the Netherlands has been able to maintain a tolerant and diverse
society.
Post the Second World War, the pillars were broken down and radical changes occurred during
the hippie movement.
Travel increased and so did interaction with diverse people highlighting people's similarities
rather than their differences.
Education and wealth grew further and helped make the Dutch even more tolerant of difference.
Netherlands became a safe haven for Spanish Jews and Dutch Protestants.
Number five: Economics The Dutch placed more importance with trade
than they did with religion.
Amsterdam was a city of immigrants and had been under Spain's tyrannical rule for a
long time, so its steadfast acceptance was a reaction to its years of oppression.
Given its international links, it had to be adaptable in terms of cultures and had to
tolerate different mindsets and attitudes.
In their bubble of 'pragmatic tolerance', the egalitarian Dutch frown upon idiosyncrasies
and it is their ability to separate emotion from problems that has allowed the Dutch to
make unconventional decisions that have established it as the world's capital of relativism.
For more infomation >> A Star is Not Born - Duration: 22:37. 
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