Tolerance and Pragmatism in the Netherlands: Euthanasia, Coffeeshops and Prostitution in the ‘Purple Years’, 1994–2002

Abstract

The Netherlands is traditionally regarded as a tolerant nation. In criminal justice matters such tolerance was usually evidenced by low prison rates, and a rehabilitation and social welfare-oriented criminal justice system. In other words, the tolerance had a focus on wrongdoers. During the ‘purple years' (1994–2002) when a neoliberal government that consisted of the Labour Party and two liberal democratic parties, took office, a shift in tolerance emerged. New legislation included the legalisation of euthanasia and of brothels, and same sex marriages were authorised too. Meanwhile the policy of soft drugs decrimin-alisation via coffeeshops has remained intact. In a climate of rising prisoner numbers, we observe an increased level of tolerance towards certain lifestyles or life choices. This article discusses the causes and effects of these developments.