The Challenge of Small Scale: Reflections on Governance and Kingdom Relations

The Challenge of Small Scale: Reflections on Governance and Kingdom Relations

October 28, 2024

In my collection “Governance 5.0; Caribbean Masterclass” from earlier this year, I explored the complex role that small scale plays in governance, especially in small states and territories. With this perspective in mind, I recently listened to Dr. Wouter Veenendaal's interview with Extra and then reviewed some PowerPoint slides from a friend who had attended his lecture. As one of the two professors holding a Kingdom Relations chair, Veenendaal examines what I have often discussed: how governance works in small countries.

Dr. Veenendaal argues that size is a critical factor shaping political dynamics in such places, impacting how voters and politicians interact. He identifies several key characteristics of politics in small democracies, including close ties between voters and politicians, limited autonomy, weak ideological foundations, polarization, clientelism, power concentration, and financial dependency of political parties. His perspective almost suggests a deterministic view—small scale as an unavoidable constraint.

Yet Veenendaal acknowledges that each context differs. For example, Curaçao is not independent; it is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which uniquely shapes its political dynamics. He focuses on Curaçao’s representation within the Kingdom, a topic well-suited to his position. However, I believe the issues go far beyond scale or representation within the Kingdom.

While small scale and representation are significant, we face many pressing issues in Curaçao. Corruption—currently a hot topic in the Dutch Parliament—poverty, inequality, the quality of education, healthcare, and climate crisis all weigh heavily on daily life. The reality is deeply concerning; these problems are not just abstract challenges but manifest in people’s homes and communities—if they have homes that can even be called that.

The situation demands attention and action, not just theoretical reflection. There is much work to be done, and the stakes are high for those affected by the limitations of our current system.

Miguel Goede