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Representation over Rents: The Broad-Coalition Norm in Dutch Local Politics

Author

Listed:
  • Lotte Swank

    (University of Groningen)

  • Otto Swank

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Joes de Natris

    (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Abstract

In multi-party parliamentary democracies, governments emerge from post-election bargaining. We study coalition formation in Dutch municipalities. Bargaining models and a norm that "the largest party should govern" predict that party rank affects coalition formation. Using regression discontinuity designs, we find no causal effect of party rank on coalition inclusion. Instead, governments follow a broad-coalition logic: when two parties jointly win a narrow majority, they nevertheless include a third party in 95\% of cases. Parties that participate in coalitions excluding a relatively large party are less likely to enter the next coalition, consistent with dynamic penalties for violating a broad-coalition norm.

Suggested Citation

  • Lotte Swank & Otto Swank & Joes de Natris, 2026. "Representation over Rents: The Broad-Coalition Norm in Dutch Local Politics," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 26-076/VII, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20260076
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