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Economic theory and four centuries of fiscal decentralisation in the Netherlands

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  • Frits Bos

Abstract

The history of the Netherlands reveals major shifts from centralisation of government tasks towards decentralisation and vice versa. In the 17th century, the Republic of United Provinces was the first federal state in modern history. Many transformations later, the Kingdom of the Netherlands became a big centralised welfare state. Since the 1980s, a reverse development has started: the welfare state is being downsized and decentralised. This article describes and discusses this evolution in view of a broad spectrum of economic theories. Four conclusions are drawn. First, the major changes in Dutch fiscal decentralisation arrangements were introduced as policies to overcome a severe economic and political crisis. Second, many other factors – like the increase in communication, mobility, population density, urbanisation and the role of government – also necessitated changes. Third, in order to ensure efficient and financially solid government, the accountability and transparency of central and local government and their interrelationships have been improved substantially. Fourth, current arrangements are not optimal and should be changed. For example, Dutch municipalities should increase further in scale, and the role of Dutch provinces should be reconsidered.

Suggested Citation

  • Frits Bos, 2013. "Economic theory and four centuries of fiscal decentralisation in the Netherlands," OECD Journal on Budgeting, OECD Publishing, vol. 12(2), pages 9-60.
  • Handle: RePEc:oec:govkaa:5k8zpd5cczd8
    DOI: 10.1787/budget-12-5k8zpd5cczd8
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    Cited by:

    1. Allers, Maarten A. & Vermeulen, Wouter, 2016. "Capitalization of equalizing grants and the flypaper effect," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 115-129.
    2. Wouter Vermeulen & Maarten Allers, 2013. "Fiscal Equalization and Capitalization: Evidence from a Policy Reform," CPB Discussion Paper 245, CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.
    3. repec:dgr:rugsom:14023-eef is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Vermeulen, W. & Allers, Maarten, 2014. "Fiscal equalization, capitalization and the flypaper effect," Research Report 14023-EEF, University of Groningen, Research Institute SOM (Systems, Organisations and Management).
    5. Devenish, Anna & Lockwood, Matthew, 2024. "Locally-led governance of residential heat transitions: Emerging experience of and lessons from the Dutch approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    6. Ismail, I. & Stam, P.J.A. & Portrait, F.R.M. & van Witteloostuijn, A. & Koolman, X., 2024. "Addressing unanticipated interactions in risk equalization: A machine learning approach to modeling medical expenditure risk," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).

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