Samenvatting

An ongoing study conducted by the Dutch Social and Cultural Planning Agency (SCP) shows that structural social inequalities did not changed radically in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2020. Although economic conditions were mostly favourable during that period, nevertheless, the SCP also sees major contrasts in that period between groups with many and few resources (work, income, education, social networks, cultural capital and health). There are vulnerable citizens who are being left behind, partly because arrears are accumulating in all kinds of areas. However, the developments of the last few years have only increased poverty and social inequality. What can and should Dutch municipalities do about the phenomena of poverty and social inequality? A few reflections in this essay may help. To better understand the situation in municipalities in this respect Weber’s methodological tool of Idealtypen is used. Municipalities are the specific battleground of poverty and social inequality. We experience that a dichotomy in society is actually a ‘penetrating multotomy’. A breakthrough (or breakthrough method) is absolutely necessary, where laws alone are not sufficient. The authorities involved at the municipal level speak of ‘mopping with the tap open’ and mayors are launching a ‘cri du coeur’. Is it ‘dropping out’ or ‘dropping in’? Is what municipalities are doing to combat poverty and reduce social inequality enough? Whatever they do, it would be good if their policies did not fall into some notorious pitfalls.