The Netherlands

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the Netherlands The Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland) is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Dutch: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden). ... Image File history File links Coat_of_arms_of_the_Netherlands. ... Politics of the Netherlands takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democracy and a constitutional monarchy, where the prime minister of the Netherlands is the chairman of the council of ministers, and of a pluriform multi-party system with about 15 parties at national elections. ...

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The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) (Dutch: Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) is a Dutch liberal political party. The VVD is the most vociferous supporter of private enterprise in the Netherlands and is often perceived a centre-right, free market or conservative liberal party ^[1], in contrast to the progressive, social or left-liberal D66. The VVD currently participates in the Second Balkenende cabinet. The Netherlands have been an independent monarchy since March 16, 1815, and have been governed by members of the House of Orange-Nassau since. ... Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (born as Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard prinses der Nederlanden, prinses van Oranje-Nassau, prinses van Lippe-Biesterfeld) (born January 31, 1938), has been the Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since April 30, 1980. ... The cabinet of the Netherlands or council of ministers plans and implements government policy. ... The second cabinet of Jan Peter Balkenende has been in office in the Netherlands from May 27, 2003. ... The Prime Minister of the Netherlands (Minister-President in Dutch) is the chairman of the council of ministers and active executive authority of the Dutch government. ... (L to R): Silvio Berlusconi, Romano Prodi, António Vitorino and Jan Peter Balkenende. ... The Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) (Dutch: Christen Democratisch Appèl) is a Dutch christian-democratic political party. ... The Estates-General (Staten-Generaal) is the parliament of the Netherlands. ... The Eerste Kamer (literally First Chamber in Dutch) is the Upper House or Senate of the Netherlands parliament, the States-General. ... The Tweede Kamer (second chamber) is the lower house of the Staten-Generaal, the parliament in the Netherlands. ... This article lists political parties in the Netherlands. ... Elections in the Netherlands gives information on election and election results in the Netherlands. ... The next Dutch general election were originally scheduled for May 15, 2007 as the parlimament was to be dissolved on April 2, 2007. ... In the Netherlands, the Council of State is a constitutionally established advisory body to the government which consists of members of the royal family and Crown-appointed members generally having political, commercial, diplomatic, or military experience. ... Hoge Raad der Nederlanden is the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, situated in The Hague. ... The modern day Netherlands are divided into twelve provinces (provincies in Dutch), listed below with their capital city: Map of the Netherlands, with provinces and capital cities See also the ranked list of Dutch provinces // Structure A Dutch province represents the administrative layer in between the national government and the... The European Union or EU is a supranational and intergovernmental union of 25 European states. ... Image File history File links European_flag. ... The drug policy of the Netherlands is based on two principles: Drug use is a public health issue, not a criminal matter A distinction between hard drugs and soft drugs exists It is a pragmatic policy. ... The Netherlands abandoned its traditional policy of neutrality after World War II. The Dutch have since become engaged participants in international affairs. ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... This article discusses liberalism as a major worldwide political ideology, its development, and its many modern-day variations. ... A political party is an organization that seeks to attain political power within a government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns. ... Democraten 66 (D66), is a social liberal party in the Netherlands. ... The second cabinet of Jan Peter Balkenende has been in office in the Netherlands from May 27, 2003. ...

Party History

1948-1971

The VVD was founded in 1948 as a continuation of the Freedom Party, which was a continuation of the Liberal State Party, a pre-war conservative liberal party. They were joined by liberals from the social-democratic PvdA, led by Pieter Oud. The liberals from the PvdA were members of the pre-war social liberal VDB, who had joined the PvdA in the post-war Doorbraak-movement. They were unhappy with the social-democratic orientation of the PvdA. The Freedom Party (PvdV) (Dutch: Party van de Vrijheid) was a short lived dutch liberal political party. ... The Liberal Political Party, the Freedom League, (in Dutch: Liberale Staatspartij de Vrijheidsbond, LSP) was a dutch conservative-liberal political party. ... German soldiers at the Battle of Stalingrad World War II was the most extensive and costly armed conflict in the history of the world, involving the great majority of the worlds nations, being fought simultaneously in several major theatres, and costing tens of millions of lives. ... For the Belgian political party of the same name, see Partij van de Arbeid (Belgium). ... Mr Pieter Jacobus Oud (born 5 December, 1886 in Purmerend - died 12 August 1968 in Rotterdam) was a prominent liberal Dutch politician who served held numerous political offices, including member of the Tweede Kamer, Minister of Finance and mayor of Rotterdam. ... Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Historical liberal parties | Netherlands political parties ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ...

Between 1948 and 1952 the VVD took part in the broad cabinets led by the social-democrat Drees. The party was a junior partner with only eight seats to the Catholic KVP and social-democratic PvdA, which both had around thirty seats. The party's leadership was in the hands of the respected former PvdA-member Oud. The Drees cabinet laid the foundation for the welfare state and decolonization of the Dutch Indies. In the 1952 elections the VVD gained one seat, but did not join government. They were rewarded for their opposition in 1956, receiving thirteen seats. But they were still kept out of government until the 1959 elections, which were held early because of cabinet crisis. They earned nineteen seats and the party entered government together with the Protestant ARP and CHU and the Catholic KVP. 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Prime Minister of the Netherlands Willem Drees (July 5, 1886-May 14, 1988) was a Dutch politician, prime minister of the Netherlands from 1948 until 1958, as a member of the social-democratic Dutch Labour Party (PvdA). ... The Katholieke Volkspartij (in English: Catholic Peoples Party; abbreviated as KVP) was a Catholic Christian-democratic Dutch political party. ... It has been suggested that Welfare capitalism be merged into this article or section. ... The Dutch East Indies, or Netherlands East Indies, (Dutch: Nederlands Indië) was the name of the colonies set up by the Dutch East India Company, which came under administration of the Netherlands during the 19th century (see Indonesia). ... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic National Party (Katholieke Nationale Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor... The number of seats in the Tweede Kamer was shortly after the elections enlarged to 150 seats National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Labour Party (Partij van... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor... The Anti-Revolutionaire Partij (ARP, Anti-revolutionary Party) was a political party in the Netherlands from 1879 until 1980. ... The Christian-Historical Union (CHU) was a Dutch Protestant party. ... The Katholieke Volkspartij (in English: Catholic Peoples Party; abbreviated as KVP) was a Catholic Christian-democratic Dutch political party. ...

In 1963 Oud left politics, and he was succeeded by the minister of Home Affairs Edzo Toxopeus. Toxopeus lost three seats in the 1963 elections, but the VVD remained in government. Meanwhile internal debate developed. In 1962 some progressive VVD members founded the Liberal Democratic Centre (Liberaal Democratisch Centrum; LDC) which was supposed to moved the VVD in a more progressive direction. In 1966 many of the LDC-members left the VVD and joined the newly founded social-liberal party D66. In 1966 there was a conflict between the VVD-ministers and their Christian-democratic counterparts. The cabinet fell and without elections it was replaced by the social-democratic/Christian-democratic cabinet-Cals, which fell after a few months. In the following 1967 elections the VVD remained relatively stable and entered the Cabinet-de Jong. 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) FarmersParty (Boerenpartij) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij) Peoples Party for Freedom and... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ... Democrats 66 (D66) (Dutch: Democraten 66) is a social liberal party in the Netherlands. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... Jozef Maria Laurens Theo Jo Cals (July 18, 1914-December 30, 1971) was a Dutch politician. ... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Farmers Party (Boerenpartij) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij), secession of... Prime Minister of the Netherlands Petrus Jozef Sietze Piet de Jong (Known as Oom Piet, or Uncle Piet) (born April 3, 1915) is a Dutch politician, prime minister of the Netherlands from 1967 until 1971, as a member of the catholic KVP party. ...

1971-2003

In the 1971 elections the VVD lost one seat and their cabinet lost its majority. A cabinet was formed with the Christian-democratic parties, the VVD and the social-democratic offshoot DS70. This cabinet fell after a few months. Meanwhile a charismatic young MP named Hans Wiegel had attracted considerable attention. He became the new leader of the VVD: in 1971 he became the new fractievoorzitter, in 1972 he was appointed lijsttrekker. With Wiegel the VVD oriented towards a new political course, reforming the welfare state, cutting taxes etc. Wiegel did not shun from conflict with the PvdA and the trade unions. With this new course came a new electorate: working class and middle class voters, who because of individualization and depillarization were more easy to attract. The course was very profitable: in the heavily polarized elections of 1972 the VVD won six seats. The VVD was kept out of government by the social-democratic/Christian-democratic-Den Uyl. In 1977 the VVD again won six seats bringing its total to twenty-eight seats. When lengthy formation talks between the social-democrats and Christian-democrats finally led to final break the VVD formed a government with the Christian-democratic CDA, with only a majority of two seats. National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Ducth Middle Class Party (Nederlandse Middenstandspartij) Democratic Socialist 1970 (Democratisch Socialisten 1970), secession of the Labour Party Democrats 66 (Democraten 66... Democratisch Socialisten 70 (abbreviated DS70) is a former Dutch social-democratic political party. ... Hans Wiegel (born July 16, 1941) is a Dutch politician and member of the liberal Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... The term working class is used to denote a social class. ... Pillarization is a term used to describe the way their dutch and belgians dealt with the multicultural societies. ... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Democratic Socialist 1970 (Democratisch Socialisten 1970) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Farmers Party (Boerenpartij) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist... Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dr. Johannes Marten Joop den Uyl (August 9, 1919 - December 24, 1987) was a Dutch politician, prime minister of the Netherlands from 1973 until 1977, as a member of the socialist PvdA party. ... The Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) (Dutch: Christen Democratisch Appèl) is a Dutch christian-democratic political party. ...

In the 1981 elections the VVD lost two seats and its partner the CDA lost even more. The cabinet was without a majority and a CDA/PvdA/D66 cabinet was formed, which fell after a few months. In 1982 Hans Wiegel left politics to become Queen's Commissioner in Friesland, he was succeeded by Ed Nijpels. In the 1982 elections Nijpels' VVD won ten seats, bringing its total up to 36. In entered government with the CDA again under CDA-leader Ruud Lubbers. The cabinet began a program of radical reform of the welfare state, which is still implemented today. The VVD lost nine seats in the 1986 elections but the cabinet nonetheless retained its majority. This was blamed on the person of Nijpels, who stood down as leader of the VVD. He was succeeded by Joris Voorhoeve. In 1989 the CDA/VVD cabinet fell over a minor point. In the subsequent elections the VVD lost five seats, leaving only twenty-two. The VVD was kept out of government. Voorhoeve was replaced by the charismatic intellectual Frits Bolkestein. National summary Parties Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) Political Party Radicals (Politieke... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... There are two levels of local government in The Netherlands, the provinces and the municipalities. ... Capital Leeuwarden Queens Commissioner drs. ... National summary Parties Center Party (Centrumpartij) Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Evangelical Peoples Party (Evangelische Volkspartij), secession of former Anti Revolutionary Party Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij) People... Rudolphus Franciscus Marie Lubbers or Ruud Lubbers (born May 7, 1939) was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, from 2001 until February 20, 2005, when he resigned because of continuous press attention about an allegation of sexual harassment. ... National summary Parties Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) Political Party Radicals (Politieke Partij Radicalen) Political Reformed Party (Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... National summary Parties Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Green Left (GroenLinks), merger of Political Party Radicals, Pacifist Socialist Party, Communist Party of the Netherlands and Evangelical Peoples Party Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) List Janmaat-Center Democrats (Lijst Janmaat-Centrumdemocraten), secession of... Frits Bolkestein Frederik Bolkestein (born 1933; usually known as Frits Bolkestein) is a Dutch politician and former EU Commissioner. ...

Bolkestein's VVD was one of the victors of the 1994 elections: they won nine seats. It formed an unprecedented government with the social-democratic PvdA and the social-liberal D66. The so-called purple cabinet led by Wim Kok. Like many of his predecessors the VVD-leader Bolkestein remained in parliament, his political style was characterized by some as "opposition to one's own government". This style was very successful and the VVD won seven seats in the 1998 elections becoming the second party in parliament with thirty-eight seats. The VVD formed a second Purple cabinet with the PvdA and D66. Bolkestein left Dutch politics in 1999 to become European Commissioner. He was replaced by the social-liberal Hans Dijkstal. National summary Parties Center Democrats (Centrumdemocraten) Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) General Elderly Peoples League (Algemeen Ouderenverbond) Green Left (GroenLinks) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) Political Reformed Party (Staatkundig Gereformeerde... For the Belgian political party of the same name, see Partij van de Arbeid (Belgium). ... Democraten 66 (D66), is a social liberal party in the Netherlands. ... Paars is the Dutch word for purple, but it carries a much broader meaning within the modern political history of the Netherlands. ... The First cabinet of Wim Kok was formed by the political parties PVDA, VVD and D66 (1994-1998). ... Prime Minister of the Netherlands Wim Kok (born September 29, 1938) was Prime Minister of The Netherlands from 1994 until 2002. ... National summary Parties Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Green Left (GroenLinks) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) Political Reformed Party (Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij) Reformatorian Political Federation (Reformatorische Politieke Federatie) Reformed Political Alliance... The second cabinet of the Netherlands to be headed by Prime Minister Wim Kok. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The European Commission (formally the Commission of the European Communities) is the executive body of the European Union. ... Henri Frans (Hans) Dijkstal (February 28, 1943) is a Dutch politician. ...

In the heavily polarized 2002 elections, dominated by the rise of Pim Fortuyn, the VVD lost fourteen seats, leaving only twenty-four. The VVD nonetheless entered a cabinet with the CDA and the populist LPF. Dijkstal stood down, he was replaced by the popular former minister of finance Gerrit Zalm. After a few months Zalm "pulled the plug" out of the VVD/CDA/LPF-cabinet. Elections in the Netherlands for the Tweede Kamer of Parliament Introduction The Dutch general election of 2002, held on May 15, 2002 was completely focused on the assassination of populist leader Pim Fortuyn, who questioned all forms of policies undertaken by the “purple cabinet” of Wim Kok. ... Wilhelmus Simon Petrus Fortuijn, known as Pim Fortuyn (surname pronounced somewhat like for-TOYN, IPA: ), (February 19, 1948 – May 6, 2002), was a controversial, openly gay, charismatic politician in the Netherlands who formed his own party Lijst Pim Fortuyn (List Pim Fortuyn or LPF). ... Lijst Pim Fortuyn (List Pim Fortuyn) is a political party in the Netherlands. ... Gerrit Zalm (born May 6, 1952) is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Netherlands. ...

2003 - now

In the 2003 elections the VVD won only four seats, making a total of twenty-eight. The party expected to do much better, having adopted most of Fortuyn's proposals on migration and integration. The VVD unwillingly entered the VVD/CDA/D66-cabinet with Zalm returning to the ministry of Finance. He was replaced as partyleader by Jozias van Aartsen, former foreign minister. On September 2nd, 2004, VVD MP Geert Wilders left the party after a dispute with parliamentary chairman Van Aartsen. He has chosen to continue as an independent or een-mansfractie in the Tweede Kamer. In 2006 the party lost a considerable number of seats in the municipal elections, prompting parliamentary leader Jozias van Aartsen to step down. Willibrord van Beek was subsequently appointed parliamentary leader ad interim. In the subsequent party leadership run-off Mark Rutte was elected as the leader ^[2]. Introduction The Dutch general election of 2003 held on January 22, 2003 was held after the fall of the first Balkenende cabinet on October 16, 2002. ... Jozias Johannes van Aartsen (born December 25, 1947 in The Hague) is a Dutch politician and member of the liberal Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Geert Wilders Geert Wilders (born in Venlo on 6 September, 1963) is a Dutch right-wing liberal politician who is best known for his views favoring the restriction of immigration, particularly from non-western countries, and his opposition to Turkey joining the European Union. ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ... The Tweede Kamer (second chamber) is the lower house of the Staten-Generaal, the parliament in the Netherlands. ... Posters of political parties of the 2006 municipal elections in Delft The Dutch municipal elections of 2006 were held on March 7, 2006. ... Jozias Johannes van Aartsen (born December 25, 1947 in The Hague) is a Dutch politician and member of the liberal Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). ... The Dutch liberal party, the Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) scheduled a leadership election for 31 May 2006. ... Mark Rutte Mark Rutte (born The Hague, February 14, 1967) is a Dutch Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) politician and State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science in the second Balkenende cabinet. ...

Name

The VVD a merger of the Party of Freedom and Freethinking Democratic dissenters within the PvdA. In this name, both tendencies, classical liberalism ("Freedom") and social liberalism ("People's Party"; "Democracy") are represented. Although a liberal party, the VVD did not openly call itself "liberal", mainly because of the still lingering "negative" connotations of liberalism derived from new policies developed during the Great Depression and War. The Great Depression was a worldwide economic downturn, starting in 1929 and lasting through most of the 1930s. ... Combatants Allies: Soviet Union, United Kingdom, France/Free France, United States, Canada, China, India, Australia, Poland, New Zealand, South Africa, Greece, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, Bulgaria, Finland, Romania, Hungary, Burma, Slovakia Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8...

Ideology & Issues

The VVD is a party founded on liberal philosophy ^[3], traditionally being the most ardent supporter of 'free markets' of all Dutch political parties, promoting fiscal responsibility, democracy and international cooperation, and in general committed to the idea of the welfare state. After 1971 the party became more populist, although liberal elements remain within the party^[4]. Often political commentators and political scientist refer to the VVD as a conservative liberal party, in contrast to D66, which is perceived to be a more progressive liberal party. The recent leadership election was interpreted by many as a conflict between the liberal and conservative wings of the party, with Rutte, the 'liberal' candidate, winning from Verdonk, the 'conservative' or 'populist' candidate ^[5]. The election was rather close, with the votes nearly 50-50 split between Rutte and Verdonk. This enforce the image of the VVD as a conservative-oriented liberal party. This article discusses liberalism as a major worldwide political ideology, its development, and its many modern-day variations. ... Politics is a process by which decisions are made within groups. ... // Origins of liberal thought John Locke The focus on liberty as an essential right of people within the polity has been repeatedly asserted throughout history. ... This is an (partial) overview of individuals that contributed to the development of liberal theory on a worldwide scale and therefore are strongly associated with the liberal tradition and instrumental in the exposition of political liberalism as a philosophy. ... Classical liberalism is a term used to describe the following: the philosophy developed by early liberals from the Enlightenment until John Stuart Mill the philosophy developed by early liberals from the Age of Enlightenment until John Stuart Mill and then revived in the 20th century by Friedrich von Hayek and... Cultural liberalism is a form of liberalism which stresses the freedom of the individual from what Lord Acton called the tyrany of the majority, the right of the non-conformist to march to a different drummer. ... The liberal theory of economics is the theory of economics begun in the Englightenment, and believed to be first fully forumulated by Adam Smith. ... Libertarianism is a political philosophy[1] advocating that individuals should be free to do whatever they wish with their person or property, as long as they do not infringe on the same liberty of others. ... For the school of international relations, see Neoliberalism (international relations). ... According to ordoliberalism, the state must create a proper legal environment for the economy and maintain a healthy level of competition through measures that adhere to market principles. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... The term Radical (latin radix meaning root) has been used since the late 18th century as a label in political science for those favoring or trying to produce thoroughgoing political reforms which can include changes to the social order to a greater or lesser extent. ... Social liberalism is either a synonym for new liberalism or a label used by progressive liberal parties in order to differentiate themselves from the more conservative liberal parties, especially when there are two or more liberal parties in a country. ... This article discusses liberalism as a major political current in specific regions and countries. ... American liberalism is a broad philosophy favoring liberty, and opposing restrictions on liberty, whether they come from established religion, from government regulation, or from the existing class structure. ... In the entry Liberalism one can find a comprehensive discussion on liberalism. ... Liberalism has been a strong force in Canadian politics since the late 18th Century. ... This is an (partial) overview of individuals that contributed to the development of liberal theory on a worldwide scale and therefore are strongly associated with the liberal tradition and instrumental in the exposition of political liberalism as a philosophy. ... Political freedom is the right, or the capacity, of self-determination as an expression of the individual will. ... For the direction right, see left and right or starboard. ... This article or section is missing references or citation of sources. ... An open society is a concept originally developed by philosopher Henri Bergson. ... The philosophical concept of negative liberty refers to an individuals liberty from being subjected to the authority of others. ... Positive liberty is an idea that was first expressed and analyzed as a separate conception of liberty by John Stuart Mill but most notably described by Isaiah Berlin. ... The Statue of Liberty is a very popular icon of liberty. ... Individualism is a moral, political, and social philosophy, which emphasizes individual liberty, the primary importance of the individual, and the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence. It assumes that a person can be socially and culturally free of upbringing: deep-structure language(s), family(s) of origin, and both... A free market is an idealized market, where all economic decisions and actions by individuals regarding transfer of money, goods, and services are voluntary, and are therefore devoid of coercion and theft (some definitions of coercion are inclusive of theft). Colloquially and loosely, a free market economy is an economy... A mixed economy is an economy that contains both private and public, or state owned (or controlled) enterprises. ... This article discusses liberalism as a major political current in specific regions and countries. ... The Liberal International is an international organization for international liberal parties. ... The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (founded in 1993) is a liberal party, active in the European Union, uniting liberal and centrist parties around Europe which together represent more than 20 million European voters and is an international non-profit association incorporated under the laws of Belgium. ... ALDE logo The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (French: Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour lEurope) is a Group in the European Parliament. ... The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats is a regional organization of liberal and democratic political parties in Asia. ... The Africa Liberal Network is composed of 16 parties in Africa, from 14 different countries, and is an associated organisation of Liberal International, the political family to which Liberal Democratic parties belong. ... The Liberal Network for Latin America (Red Liberal de América Latina, RELIAL) is an international network founded in 2003 with the official launch taking place in Costa Rica November 2004. ... A free market is an idealized market, where all economic decisions and actions by individuals regarding transfer of money, goods, and services are voluntary, and are therefore devoid of coercion and theft (some definitions of coercion are inclusive of theft). Colloquially and loosely, a free market economy is an economy... Fiscal policy is the economic term which describes the actions of a government in setting the level of public expenditure and how that expenditure is funded. ... It has been suggested that Welfare capitalism be merged into this article or section. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... Populism is a political ideology or rhetorical style that holds that the common person is oppressed by the elite in society, which exists only to serve its own interests, and therefore, the instruments of the State need to be grasped from this self-serving elite and instead used for the... This article discusses liberalism as a major political current in specific regions and countries. ... The Dutch liberal party, the Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) scheduled a leadership election for 31 May 2006. ...

The most important principle for the VVD has always been individual freedom. Political freedom is the right, or the capacity, of self-determination as an expression of the individual will. ...

The principles of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) are outlined in the Liberal Manifesto ("Liberaal Manifest") and the election programs. The Liberal Manifesto details the principles and foundations of the party, and is a general outlook on the direction of the party. The election programs are more oriented to practicial politics. Politics is a process by which decisions are made within groups. ...

Liberal Manifesto

The last Liberal Manifesto of the VVD was published in September, 2005. It develops a broad outline around the themes of democracy, security, freedom and citizenship, along with a vision of the future of party's internal structure. Below some of the points from the Manifesto are presented: 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Political freedom is the right, or the capacity, of self-determination as an expression of the individual will. ... Citizenship is membership in a political community (originally a city but now usually a state) and carries with it rights to political participation; a person having such membership is a citizen. ...

Democracy

• The Manifesto calls for a directly elected Minister-President, whereby voters can show their preference on the ballot.
• The question of (advisory) referendums is left open as a possibility.
• Mayors should be directly elected by the people.
• Commitment to the Four Freedoms of the European Union.

A minister-president (Ministerpräsident) is the head of government of a German federal state; the office corresponds to the governorship of a state in the United States. ... A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger,greater) is in modern times the title of the highest ranking municipal officer, who discharges certain judicial and administrative functions, in many systems an elected politician, who serves as chief executive and/or ceremonial official of many types of municipalities. ... In European Union law, the Four Freedoms (sometimes the Four Liberties) are the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour within the internal market of the European Union. ...

Security

• A common policy on defense and security in the European Union is called for.

Freedom

• The principle of non-discrimination should be given more importance than the exercise of religion.
• 'Social rights' are to be continued. These are not simple 'rights', but they also create an 'obligation'.
• Euthanasia is part of a person's 'right' to self-determination.
• Commitment to an open economy, with a 'regulated free-market', including Patents.
• Support for the freedom of contract. No nationally binding collective bargaining agreements.

Euthanasia (from Greek: ευθανασία -ευ good, θανατος death) is the practice of ending the life of an individual or an animal who is suffering from a terminal disease or a chronically painful condition in a painless or minimally painful way either by lethal injection, drug overdose, or by the withdrawal of medical support. ... A patent is a set of exclusive rights granted by a state to a person for a fixed period of time in exchange for the regulated, public disclosure of certain details of a device, method, process or composition of matter (substance) (known as an invention) which is new, inventive, and... Collective agreement is a labor contract between an employer and one or more unions. ...

Citizenship

• Minimize the option of dual citizenship.
• Social security should only be fully open for Dutch nationals. Migrants will have to integrate in order to become citizens.

Countries that do (yellow) and do not (red) recognize multiple citizenship. ...

Election program

The next parliamentary elections in the Netherlands are in 2007. The VVD has setup a program commission chaired by BT executive Ben Verwaayen. The concept program is due to be released in September, 2006. The members of the VVD will then have a final vote on the program on January 27, 2007. The Tweede Kamer (second chamber) is the lower house of the Staten-Generaal, the parliament in the Netherlands. ... Elections in the Netherlands for the Tweede Kamer of Parliament The next Dutch general election is scheduled to be held on May 16, 2007. ... BT Group plc (also known as British Telecommunications plc) which trades as BT (and previously as British Telecom) is the privatised UK state telecommunications operator. ... Bernardus Johannes Maria Ben Verwaayen (born Driebergen, February 11, 1952) is a Dutch businessman. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Representation

In this table the election results of the VVD in Tweede Kamer, Eerste Kamer and European elections is represented, as well as the party's political leadership: the fractievoorzitter, is the chair of the parliamentary party and the lijsttrekker is the party's top candidate in the general election, these posts are normally taken by the party's leader. It also possible that the party leader is member of cabinet, if the VVD was part of the governing coalition, the "highest ranking" minister is listed.

The Tweede Kamer (second chamber) is the lower house of the Staten-Generaal, the parliament in the Netherlands. ... The Eerste Kamer (literally First Chamber in Dutch) is the Upper House or Senate of the Netherlands parliament, the States-General. ... The European Parliament building in Strasbourg The inside of the building The European Parliament (formerly European Parliamentary Assembly) is the parliamentary body of the European Union (EU), directly elected by EU citizens once every five years. ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ... A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. ... Elections in the Netherlands for the Tweede Kamer of Parliament National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic National Party (Katholieke Nationale Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Labour Party (Partij van de... Mr Pieter Jacobus Oud (born 5 December, 1886 in Purmerend - died 12 August 1968 in Rotterdam) was a prominent liberal Dutch politician who served held numerous political offices, including member of the Tweede Kamer, Minister of Finance and mayor of Rotterdam. ... Dirk Uipko Stikker (February 5, 1897 - December 23, 1979) is a Dutch banker, industrialist, politician, and diplomat. ... Dirk Uipko Stikker (February 5, 1897 - December 23, 1979) is a Dutch banker, industrialist, politician, and diplomat. ... Dirk Uipko Stikker (February 5, 1897 - December 23, 1979) is a Dutch banker, industrialist, politician, and diplomat. ... Dirk Uipko Stikker (February 5, 1897 - December 23, 1979) is a Dutch banker, industrialist, politician, and diplomat. ... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic National Party (Katholieke Nationale Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor... The number of seats in the Tweede Kamer was shortly after the elections enlarged to 150 seats National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Labour Party (Partij van... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) FarmersParty (Boerenpartij) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij) Peoples Party for Freedom and... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Farmers Party (Boerenpartij) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij), secession of... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Ducth Middle Class Party (Nederlandse Middenstandspartij) Democratic Socialist 1970 (Democratisch Socialisten 1970), secession of the Labour Party Democrats 66 (Democraten 66... Hans Wiegel (born July 16, 1941) is a Dutch politician and member of the liberal Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy. ... National summary Parties Anti Revolutionary Party (Anti-Revolutionaire Partij) Catholic Peoples Party (Katholieke Volkspartij) Christian Historical Union (Christelijke-Historische Unie) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Democratic Socialist 1970 (Democratisch Socialisten 1970) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Farmers Party (Boerenpartij) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist... National summary Parties Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl), merger of Catholic Peoples Party, Anti Revolutionary Party and Christian Historical Union Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Democratic Socialist 1970 (Democratisch Socialisten 1970) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Farmers Party (Boerenpartij) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid... National summary Parties Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) Political Party Radicals (Politieke... National summary Parties Center Party (Centrumpartij) Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Communist Party of the Netherlands (Communistische Partij Nederland) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Evangelical Peoples Party (Evangelische Volkspartij), secession of former Anti Revolutionary Party Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij) People... National summary Parties Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Pacifist Socialist Party (Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) Political Party Radicals (Politieke Partij Radicalen) Political Reformed Party (Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij... National summary Parties Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Green Left (GroenLinks), merger of Political Party Radicals, Pacifist Socialist Party, Communist Party of the Netherlands and Evangelical Peoples Party Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) List Janmaat-Center Democrats (Lijst Janmaat-Centrumdemocraten), secession of... Frits Bolkestein Frederik Bolkestein (born 1933; usually known as Frits Bolkestein) is a Dutch politician and former EU Commissioner. ... National summary Parties Center Democrats (Centrumdemocraten) Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) General Elderly Peoples League (Algemeen Ouderenverbond) Green Left (GroenLinks) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) Political Reformed Party (Staatkundig Gereformeerde... Henri Frans (Hans) Dijkstal (February 28, 1943) is a Dutch politician. ... National summary Parties Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) Democrats 66 (Democraten 66) Green Left (GroenLinks) Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid) Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) Political Reformed Party (Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij) Reformatorian Political Federation (Reformatorische Politieke Federatie) Reformed Political Alliance... Henri Frans (Hans) Dijkstal (February 28, 1943) is a Dutch politician. ... Elections in the Netherlands for the Tweede Kamer of Parliament Introduction The Dutch general election of 2002, held on May 15, 2002 was completely focused on the assassination of populist leader Pim Fortuyn, who questioned all forms of policies undertaken by the “purple cabinet” of Wim Kok. ... Gerrit Zalm (born May 6, 1952) is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Netherlands. ... Johannes Wijnandus (Johan) Remkes (born in Oosterbroek (Groningen) on 15 June 1951) became a member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch parlement in 1993, for the right-wing liberal party VVD. From 1998 to 2002 he was a State Secretary in the Second cabinet of Wim Kok. ... Introduction The Dutch general election of 2003 held on January 22, 2003 was held after the fall of the first Balkenende cabinet on October 16, 2002. ... Jozias Johannes van Aartsen (born December 25, 1947 in The Hague) is a Dutch politician and member of the liberal Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). ... Mark Rutte Mark Rutte (born The Hague, February 14, 1967) is a Dutch Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) politician and State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science in the second Balkenende cabinet. ...

Ministers

The VVD is part of the second cabinet Balkenende and supplies six ministers and four junior ministers (staatssecretarissen).

Ministers:

• Gerrit Zalm - Minister of Finance and vice-prime minister
• Sybilla Dekker - Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment
• Hans Hoogervorst - Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports
• Henk Kamp - Minister of Defense
• Johan Remkes - Minister of Home Affairs
• Rita Verdonk - Minister without portfolio for Migration and Integration

Staatssecretarissen: Gerrit Zalm (born May 6, 1952) is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Netherlands. ... Hans Hoogervorst (19 April 1956) is the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands since May 2003. ... Kamp with Donald Rumsfeld Henricus Gregorius Jozeph (Henk) Kamp (born in Hengelo, July 23, 1952) is a Dutch politician who is the current Minister of Defense in the Second Balkenende cabinet for the right-wing liberal party VVD. External links Official site Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Henk Kamp... Johannes Wijnandus (Johan) Remkes (born in Oosterbroek (Groningen) on 15 June 1951) became a member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch parlement in 1993, for the right-wing liberal party VVD. From 1998 to 2002 he was a State Secretary in the Second cabinet of Wim Kok. ... Rita Verdonk Drs. ...

• Henk van Hoof - Staatssecretaris for Social Affairs
• Atzo Nicolaï - Staatssecretaris for Foreign Affairs, especially for European Affairs
• Mark Rutte - Staatssecretaris for Education, Culture and Science, especially for Higher Education and Science
• Melanie Schultz van Haegen-Maas Geesteranus - Staatssecretaris of Transport and Waterworks

Members of the Lower House of Parliament

After the 2003 elections the party has 27 representatives in the lower house of parliament: Mark Rutte Mark Rutte (born The Hague, February 14, 1967) is a Dutch Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) politician and State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science in the second Balkenende cabinet. ... The Tweede Kamer (second chamber) is the lower house of the Staten-Generaal, the parliament in the Netherlands. ...

• Frans Weisglas, Chairman of the Lower House of Parliamenty
• Willibrord van Beek, fractievoorzitter
• Edith Schippers, vice-fractievoorzitter
• Jozias van Aartsen
• Charlie Aptroot
• Hans van Baalen
• Eric Balemans
• Stef Blok
• Ineke Dezentjé Hamming-Bluemink
• Eske van Egerschot
• Laetitia Griffith
• Pieter Hofstra
• Paul de Krom
• Janmarc Lenards
• Ruud Luchtenveld
• Anouchka van Miltenburg
• Annette Nijs
• Gert-Jan Oplaat
• Fadime Örgü
• Ed van der Sande
• Anton van Schijndel
• Janneke Snijder-Hazelhoff
• Zsolt Szabó
• Jelleke Veenendaal
• Arno Visser
• Bibi de Vries
• Frans Weekers

Members of the Higher House of Parliament

After the 2003 Lower House elections the party has 15 representatives in the Lower House: There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ... Jozias Johannes van Aartsen (born December 25, 1947 in The Hague) is a Dutch politician and member of the liberal Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). ... The Eerste Kamer (literally First Chamber in Dutch) is the Upper House or Senate of the Netherlands parliament, the States-General. ...

• Uri Rosenthal, fractievoorzitter
• Fred de Graaf, vice-fractievoorzitter
• Marbeth Bierman-Beukema toe Water
• Ger Biermans
• Nicole van den Broek-Laman Trip
• Ankie Broekers-Knol
• Dick Dees
• Heleen Dupuis
• Jan van Heukelum
• Willem Hoekzema
• Elsabe Kalsbeek-Schimmelpenninck van der Oije
• Niek Ketting
• Paul Luijten
• Cees van den Oosten
• Paula Swenker

There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ...

Members of the European Parliament

After the 2004 European Parliament elections the party has 4 representatives in the European Parliament: The European Parliament building in Strasbourg The inside of the building The European Parliament (formerly European Parliamentary Assembly) is the parliamentary body of the European Union (EU), directly elected by EU citizens once every five years. ...

• J. (Jules) Maaten, fractievoorzitter
• J.A. (Janine) Hennis-Plasschaert
• drs. A.J.M. (Toine) Manders
• ir. J. (Jan) Mulder

VVD MEPs are part of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party. Jules Maaten Jules Maaten (born on 17 April 1961 in Nieuwer-Amstel) is a Dutch politician and Member of the European Parliament with the Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, Member of the Bureau of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and sits on the European Parliaments Committee... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ... Toine Manders Toine Manders (born on 14 March 1956 in Stiphout) is a Dutch politician and Member of the European Parliament with the Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and sits on the European Parliaments Committee on the Internal Market... Jan Mulder Jan Mulder (born on 3 October 1943 in Diever) is a Dutch politician and Member of the European Parliament with the Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and is vice-chair of the European Parliaments Committee on Budgets... The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party aisbl (founded 1993) is a liberal party, active in the European Union, uniting liberal and centrist parties around Europe which together represent more than 20 million European voters and is an international non-profit association incorporated under the laws of Belgium. ...

Muncipal and Provincial Government

Provincial government

The VVD provides three of twelve Queen's Commissioners, former party-leader Ed Nijpels is Queen's Commissioner in Friesland. The VVD is part of every college of Gedeputeerde Staten (provincial executive) except for Groningen There are two levels of local government in The Netherlands, the provinces and the municipalities. ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ...

Municipal government

109 of the 414 Dutch mayors are member of the VVD. Furthermore the party has about 250 aldermen and 1100 members of municipal councils. There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ...

Electorate

The electorate of the VVD historically consisted out of atheist and latitudinarian protestant voters out of higher and middle classes. This group still forms an important part of its electorate, but especially under the leadership of Wiegel the VVD has branched out to lower classes. For information about the band, see Atheist (band). ... Latitudinarian was initially a pejorative term applied to a group of 17th century British theologians who believed in conforming to official Church of England practices but who felt that matters of doctrine, liturgical practice, and ecclesiastical organization were of relatively little importance. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Upper class refers to a group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. ... The middle class (or middle classes) comprises a social group once defined by exception as an intermediate social class between the nobility and the peasantry. ... A social class is, at its most basic, a group of people that have similar social status. ...

Organization

Organizational structure

The highest organ of the VVD is the General Assembly, it is formed by delegates from the municipal branches. It convenes once every year. It appoints the party board and decides the order of the First Chamber, Second Chamber, European Parliament candidates list and has the last say over the party program. Since 2002 the General Assembly can write out a referendum under all members. The lijsttrekker of the Second Chamber candidate list is expected to elected this way. The chairman of all the branches form the Party Council, which advises the Party Board in the months that the General Assembly does not convene. This is important forum within the party. Some journalists call these chairmen the "party barons" of the party For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... There are several terms used in Dutch politics which are not easily translated into English. ...

Linked organisations

The youth-organization of the VVD is the Youth Organisation Freedom and Democracy (Jongeren Organisatie voor Vrijheid en Democratie; JOVD), which as a member of the Liberal Youth Movement of the European Union and the International Federation of Liberal and Radical Youth. The education institute of the VVD is the Haya van Someren Foundation. The Scientific institute Prof.mr. B.M. Telders Foundation publishes the magzine Liberal Reveil every two months. The party published the magazine Politics! (Politiek!) quarterly. JOVD members with U.S. Ambassador Roland Arnall The Jongeren Organisatie Vrijheid en Democratie (Youth Organisation Freedom and Democracy) is one of the oldest political youth organisations in the Netherlands. ...

International organisations

The VVD is a member of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR), the party of Liberals and Democrats in the European Union, which is a component of Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. Internationally it is a member of the Liberal International. The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party aisbl (founded 1993) is a liberal party, active in the European Union, uniting liberal and centrist parties around Europe which together represent more than 20 million European voters and is an international non-profit association incorporated under the laws of Belgium. ... ALDE logo The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (French: Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour lEurope) is a Group in the European Parliament. ... The Liberal International is an international organization for international liberal parties. ...

Pillarized organisations

The pillarization around the VVD has always been very weak. The broadcasters AVRO and TROS, and the news papers NRC Handelsblad and the Financiële Telegraaf are relatively friendly to the VVD. Pillarization is a term used to describe the way their dutch and belgians dealt with the multicultural societies. ... In Greek mythology, King Tros of Dardania (1375 BC - 1328 BC), son of Erichthonius from whom he inherited the throne and the father of three named sons: Ilus, Assaracus, and Ganymedes. ... NRC Handelsblad is a Dutch evening newspaper. ...

Relationships to other parties

The VVD has always been a relatively isolated party. The VVD cooperates on the European and the international level with the social-liberal D66. It has a long history of cabinet of cooperation with the CDA and its Christian-democratic predecessors. Democraten 66 (D66), is a social liberal party in the Netherlands. ... The Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) (Dutch: Christen Democratisch Appèl) is a Dutch christian-democratic political party. ...

International Comparison

The VVD is a more economic liberal party, committed to the free market, and is comparable to the German FDP. In its economic policies it is closer to the British Conservatives than the Liberal Democrats. In the United States it could be compared to centrist and liberal Republicans, like Lincoln Chafee and Rudy Giuliani, though its policy goals more closely resemble those articulated by Libertarians. The Free Democratic Party (Freie Demokratische Partei - FDP) is a liberal political party in Germany. ... The new logo of the Conservative Party The Conservative Party is the largest centre right political party in the United Kingdom. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party in the United Kingdom. ... This article is about the modern United States Republican Party. ... Lincoln Davenport Chafee (born March 26, 1953) is a Republican United States Senator from Rhode Island. ... Rudy Giuliani Rudolph William Louis Rudy Giuliani III (born May 28, 1944 in Brooklyn, New York) served as the Mayor of New York City from January 1, 1994 through December 31, 2001. ... The Libertarian Party is an American political party founded in 1971. ...

See also

• Liberalism:
  • Contributions to liberal theory
  • Liberalism worldwide
  • Liberal democracy
  • Liberalism in the Netherlands

This article discusses liberalism as a major worldwide political ideology, its development, and its many modern-day variations. ... This is an (partial) overview of individuals that contributed to the development of liberal theory on a worldwide scale and therefore are strongly associated with the liberal tradition and instrumental in the exposition of political liberalism as a philosophy. ... This article discusses liberalism as a major political current in specific regions and countries. ... This article or section is missing references or citation of sources. ... This article gives an overview of liberalism in the Netherlands. ...

External links

• People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) official site

References