Peace & Defence (II): "No we-see-each-other-well-in-the-trenches policy"

Fellow MPs Luc Stultiens (GL-PvdA, left) and Jimme Nordkamp (GL-PvdA, right) in conversation, source: John Beckmann/Orange Pictures

In this series, 'Peace & Defence', the FMS talks to experts about what a progressive narrative on defence entails and what trade-offs should be made in it. We do this by talking to various organisations that deal with defence, war and violence and offer a progressive view on this In part 2 of this series, the FMS spoke with Jimme Nordkamp, MP for GroenLinks-PvdA and spokesperson on defence. Among other things, GL-PvdA is very active on the issue of support for Ukraine. As recently as December, Nordkamp, together with Volt an amendment submitted to increase aid to Ukraine, which ultimately did not pass the House. But what exactly are the party's plans on Dutch defence?

Read this page Part 1 of the 'Peace & Defence' series.

A reliable partner on defence 

Nordkamp explains that Green Left-PvdA has a very clear vision of Dutch defence, recognising the threats in the world, but not seeking all solutions in the armed forces. Nordkamp: "Defence is a hugely important capstone of peace policy, but not a spearhead of it here." GroenLinks-PvdA thus acknowledges the need for the armed forces, but also emphasises the role of other measures that promote peace. For instance, Nordkamp finds it very remarkable that the current cabinet is cutting back on diplomacy and development cooperation, while these are also important pillars for peace politics. If we invest only in the armed forces, he says, we will get a kind of "we-see-each-other-in-the-trenches policy."

For GroenLinks-PvdA, Dutch defence policy above all has a place in an overarching European defence policy. It is therefore enormously important that we are a reliable partner in the field of defence in Europe and NATO. According to Nordkamp, we should therefore also definitely meet the 2% NATO standard and scale up defence spending. This is part of strengthening European defence. However, we should not start buying materials indiscriminately, without coordinating this on a European level. Instead, it is very important that all countries within the EU specialise in the areas where their strengths lie.

Defence is not a revenue model

Besides the fact that Dutch defence should be part of a European strategy, Nordkamp stresses that we should retain economic control over defence. Nordkamp: "If you allow a lot of private investors, what does this do to public opinion on defence?" After all, rich investors can then enrich themselves using our tax money. This is obviously not the intention and also very damaging to the image of defence. For this reason, more openness is needed: "A lot of public money now goes to defence, but you should then also be able to tell exactly where it all goes and what happens to the money." So despite the fact that the need is high, Nordkamp says we should not just relax all the rules - quite the contrary.

Nordkamp has therefore recently made some proposals to tighten the rules around defence spending. For instance, he has proposed a motion tabled to clarify the profits made in the defence industry so that private profits are not disproportionately subsidised by our tax money. In another motion, tabled with the SP, he called for defence procurement to be tested against international law so that we do not buy weapons from parties that violate human rights. Both motions ultimately failed to pass the House. According to Nordkamp, however, it is very damaging to the trust people have in defence if it is not even clear where our tax money goes and who all benefits from it. Nordkamp: "It's just part of good leadership to provide insight into this."

A comprehensive and critical approach

Another problem, according to Nordkamp, is that our defence policy is now mainly a reaction to Russia's aggression, but there is not so much of a long-term vision underlying this. This is obviously not a good basis for our defence policy. Nordkamp: "Building a nuanced future vision of defence is difficult because to some extent you are held hostage to current events." The Russian invasion of Ukraine has therefore led to a major scaling up of defence spending, but the question is whether this is also part of an overarching strategy: "It should not be the case that we invest in the outside of the house but let the foundation rot." For this reason, Nordkamp argues for an integrated approach to defence, where we can respond militarily when necessary, but also use diplomacy and the international rule of law to prevent and settle conflicts.

Alongside this, it is also important that we can remain critical of defence policy. This does not mean denying the importance of investment, but having concerns and questions about this spending, such as who exactly is earning from it. This also makes perfect sense, since these are lethal weapons and huge sums of money. Nordkamp says, however, that it is very difficult to have an open discussion about defence now, as any doubt or criticism is immediately dismissed as naivety. This is very problematic. After all, it is not desirable that people should just 'swallow' defence policy. Nordkamp: "We definitely don't want people here to start applauding when a tank passes by." Without nuance, people can only choose whether they are for or against defence policy. Especially among people with concerns, this could actually lead to a breakdown in support.

A progressive narrative on defence

So while investment in defence is hugely important, this does not mean that all rules and criticism should give way to it. On the contrary, it is important to have openness about these investments so that they can be discussed in a nuanced way. This is important not only for transparency but also for public support. After all, the fact that investments are needed does not mean that their current implementation is perfect.

Openness and nuance should therefore be central to a progressive narrative on defence. This does not threaten defence policy, but rather strengthens it. In this way, defence is not something imposed on everyone, but rather something that can be actively chosen. Especially in something as important as our defence, this is necessary.