Dutch people are pessimistic about how the Netherlands is developing, while lack of respect and mistrust towards politicians makes them long for how local society was back in the 50s and 60s.

Research made by the Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) reveals a sense of nostalgia; Dutch miss a safe, homogenous society with less criminality and in fact, that period has been romanticised as a time of complete freedom.

According to Paul Schnabel, General Director of the SCP, these feelings can have political consequences. "It can affect how people vote and their trust in politicians. In that sense, the result is serious. But there is also the fact that you can't turn back time," he said.

About the SCP
The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) is a government agency which conducts research into the social aspects of all areas of government policy. The main fields studied are health, welfare, social security, the labour market and education, with a particular focus on the interfaces between them.