The delusion of state building in the Palestinian Territories: the Dutch contribution

Abstract

This article addresses the question as to what extent the Dutch contribution to the Palestinian state building process as negotiated during the 1993 Oslo Accords has been successful. Success, in this case, is measured by the extent as to which the Dutch support for this process has led to, or created favorable conditions, for a viable two-state solution within the Israeli-Palestine conflict. To assess the level of success of this contribution, a theoretical framework based on three theories and conceptions on the state and state formation by Max Weber, Charles Tilly and Michael Mann. This article argues that, while the Dutch contribution to the Palestinian state building process roughly matches the theoretical framework, the lack of political context within this technocratic project puts severe restrictions on the desired outcome of a viable two-state solution.