War on Drugs: Germany compared to the Netherlands

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The War on Drugs

One of the key aspects to consider when evaluating domestic political actors preferences towards policies pertaining to illegal drug use in both the Netherlands and Germany is to evaluate their ideological differences. The Netherlands attitude towards drug policy revolves around limiting the negative impacts illegal drug use has on society by implementing laws catered towards decriminalization. On the other hand, Germany considers drugs a detriment to society and promotes legislation that proactively restricts the flow of supply and demand of illegal drugs within the country. Now that both countries ideological differences have been brought to light, we must also consider the origins of those ideas and how they transcended into public policy. One of the significant driving forces behind the shaping of any policy are those political actors who reside in the country. The objective of any political actor is to influence public preference by sponsoring changes in policy. Just like the United States, both Germany and the Netherlands have organizations within their own country that promote policies to the public in an attempt to sway their opinion on an issue. The investigation of political actors in Germany and the Netherlands will allow one to obtain a greater understand of why their stance on illegal drug use is the way it is.

German policies reflect a hard-line approach on drug enforcement. Non-governmental organizations such as the Jeunesse Anti Drogue promote, “Stiffer penalties for individuals charged with the sale of illegal drugs within the proximity of a school” (Jeuness Anti Drogue 2005). Many organizations similar to Jeunesse provide a supportive platform for parties such as the National Democratic Party...

... middle of paper ...

..., we are able to better understand why policies differ from country to country.

Works Cited

1. German Youth Against Drugs. 2005. Jeuness Anti Drogue.2005.

(Accessed February 3, 2012).

2. Netherlands Drugs Policy Foundation. 2009. Stichting Drugsbeleid.

(Accessed February 3, 2012).

3. Startseite Der Webseite. 2006. Des Verein Für Drogenpolitik

(Accessed February 3, 2012).

4. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2005. German Non-Governmental Organizations

(Accessed February 3, 2012).

5. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2005. Netherlands Non-Governmental Organizations

(Accessed February 3, 2012).

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