Netherlands
The Netherlands[1] (Dutch: Nederland) is a constitutional monarchy located in northwestern Europe which borders France to the south and the Rhineland to the east, also sharing a maritime border with the United Kingdom in the southwest. Its name is not to be confused with the term 'Kingdom of the Netherlands', which since the late 20th century has been used to collectively refer to the European country and its overseas territories.
The Netherlands Nederland | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
 | |
| Capital and largest city | Amsterdam |
| Administrative center | The Hague |
| Official languages | Dutch |
| Recognised regional languages | Flemish Zeelandic Frisian Friso-Saxon |
| Demonym | Dutch Netherlander |
| Government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Establishment | |
• Creation of the Habsburg Netherlands | 1482 |
• Independence of the Dutch Republic | 1588 |
| 1692–1712 | |
• Monarchy established | 1814 |
In 1588, an independent Dutch republic seceded from the Habsburg Netherlands. Dominated by stadtholders of the Nassau dynasty, the country was occupied by the Augustine Republic until 1814, when it was established as a sovereign monarchy with William I of the Netherlands as king. The Dutch Empire continuously declined over the 19th century, leadings to the Tulips Uprising of 1910. In the post-Great War era, the country dealt with massive social and political unrest and colonial insurgencies, the most notable being the East Indies Crisis. In the late 20th century, the country entered into an economic union with the Rhineland.
History
Government and Politics
| Unitary parliamentary monarchy |
The Netherlands is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy consisting of fifteen provinces within a unitary framework. Due to the predominance of the executive branch and the civil bureaucracy, the country is often described with the phrase pro Deo et patria etiam Bureaucratia ('For King and Country, and also Bureaucracy). Since the 19th century, great emphasis on the values of pragmatism and classical republicanism, both of which have informed the governance of the country to this day.
The monarch is the head of state and is advised by the Council of State, an institution founded in 1531. They have had their powers severely limited by a constitution, which granted vast political powers to the Prime Minister, who heads the Cabinet of the Netherlands. Since the 1960s, the political responsibilities and capacities of the Prime Minister have greatly increased due to a myriad of domestic and overseas crises. For example, in times of crisis, they are permitted to take up unchallenged command of military actions for up to 190 days without parliamentary approval or royal assent.
Based out of the Binnenhof, the States-General is the age-old bicameral legislature of the Kingdom, consisting of 150 seats. The members of the Senate, the upper house, are elected by the fifteen provincial assembles. National legislative elections occur every four years or in the event of the resignation of the Cabinet. Allocation of seats to parties aims to approximately be in proportion to the number of votes received through candidates' positions on electoral lists.
Military
Originally established in the 16th century, the Dutch Armed Forces (Krijgsmacht) are the military services of the Netherlands. They are divided into four main branches; the Royal Navy, the Royal Army, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Marechaussee, which functions as a national gendarmerie and police force. The Royal Navy is considered the largest in Europe, being rivaled only by the British Royal Navy in size and accomplishment. The Forces employ an active force of 180,000, with a reserve of 1,300,000. All branches are open to female members with the exception of the Shocktroops Special Corps and the Submarine Service.
A significant part of the budget of the Netherlands goes towards funding the Royal Forces, a policy decision which has remained controversial and even detestable in the eyes of the Dutch public and numerous pacifist organizations.
Notes
- ^ The country may be referred to in Dutch, English, and other languages by a variety of names including the terms the Low Countries, Holland, and Belgica.