Small State Strategies in Alliances: The Case of the Netherlands

In: Cooperation and conflict: journal of the Nordic International Studies Association, Band 30, Heft 1, S. 31-51

Abstract

The article analyses the role of the Netherlands in the Atlantic Alliance over the past decades in the wider context of small power strategies. The main thrust of the argument is that small states can apply balancing strategies not only to protect their security in the central system of rivalling great powers but also to defend their interests in subordinate domains where middle powers may play a prominent part. The particular case is a clear instance of a small state using alliances to link objectives at different levels of political action. Thus, the Netherlands, while taking advantage of its reputation as a faithful ally in NATO, has sought to draw on the support of the United States in order to forestall attempts at domination by larger regional powers in Western Europe, first and foremost France. The contention is made that the Dutch have been successful in pursuance of their strategy. The final part discusses the impact on the Dutch position of recent post-Cold War developments and the dynamics of European integration. One of the options available in the arsenal of small power strategies would be a switch by the Netherlands from the postwar balancing policies along with the USA to a future posture of `bandwagoning' with its most powerful European partner, i.e. Germany.