The Dutch political system traditionally has preferred private nonprofit organizations for the implementation of welfare policies. Here, the measures taken & the arguments put forward to justify the constantly increasing government interference in these organizations during 1945-1985 are examined. From 1945 to 1963, reference was made to the exceptional circumstances caused by WWII & postwar reconstruction. Post-1963, the way interventions were prepared provided their justification, which resulted in an unbalanced & unprecedented growth between 1963 & 1973; the too costly output provided grounds for intervention after 1973. This output-oriented legitimation was then replaced in 1981 by reference to external circumstances: the economic crisis & the need to cut back expenditures. None of these arguments deals with health care needs: the arguments put forward to justify a policy are not explanations of that policy. 9 Tables, 17 References. Modified HA
