Strengthening societal resilience

This RAND Europe Perspective, 'Societal Resilience in the Netherlands', delves into strategies to fortify societal resilience against intentional and natural threats faced by the Netherlands. Emphasising coordination across local, regional and national entities, as well as public-private partnerships, the analysis delineates four resilience phases — preparation, absorption, recovery and adaptation — tailored to national nuances. Challenges in quantifying psychological resilience are explored, with proposed models considering motivations, capabilities and culture. In addition, historical and contemporary case studies underscore the importance of societal cohesion, while the role of defence structures in crisis continuity is highlighted. The Perspective advocates for adaptive, context-specific approaches to bolster societal stability and security in the Netherlands.