The Netherlands is considered a prototypical consensus democracy that is characterized by an integrative political culture, multiparty cabinets and proportional representation. The preferred style of decision-making is typically one of deliberation, and the basis on which ministers acquire or loose authority differs significantly from that in majoritarian countries. These differences are particularly salient during crises. The paper will explore the value of the Leadership Capital Index (LCI) in understanding the fortunes of political leaders in a consensual system like The Netherlands. A case study design to assess the leadership capital of two Dutch Prime Ministers, Mark Rutte and Jan-Peter Balkenende, will be used to study how these leaders managed the most salient and politicized crises of their time in office. Secondly, we will survey government officials to rank the indicators according to country relevance, to explore and establish the limits of the LCI as an integrative approach on political authority.
