Does regional decline trigger discontent? Unravelling regional development in the Netherlands

Regional Studies, vol. 58, pp. 938–951

Abstract

A new geography of regional decline is signalled as a prominent source of discontent. This study considers regional divides in the Netherlands, and examines what trajectories can be detected in regional development and how these relate to recent regional discontent. Based on quantitative analyses of longitudinal data at the NUTS-3 level, we found a persistence of social and economic inequalities over the last decade(s). Our main result is that evidence for economic decline at the regional scale is limited, and unlikely to account for regional discontent in the Netherlands. Pathways of regional divergence and decline were mostly found in demographic change. Anti-establishment attitudes across Dutch regions were strongly associated with lower income, lower population change and ageing.

Authors 3

1. Bram van Vulpen corresponding

   University of Groningen

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Groningen

   Campus Fryslân, University of Groningen, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands

2. Bettina Barbara Bock

   University of Groningen · Wageningen University & Research

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Groningen

   Wageningen University & Research

   Rural Sociology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands

   Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

3. Caspar F. van den Berg Aachen Institute of Public Administration

   Leiden University · University of Groningen

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

   University of Groningen

   The Institute of Public Administration, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands