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In the context of the law of the Netherlands, the term gedogen (toleration, although gedogen does not literally mean toleration. One can describe it best as toleration in law, but not in culture.) It refers to not enforcing certain laws. The Dutch government tolerates some offences. Some things like possessing small amounts of marijuana are formally forbidden by law, but the Dutch government abstains from bringing criminal charges against the offenders. Often these policies are brought about by a tension between treaty obligations and domestic politics. See policies on marijuana and euthanasia for more information.
The opposite of gedogen is zero-tolerance.
- Leuw, Ian; Haen Marshall, Ineke (1994). Between Prohibition and Legalisation: The Dutch Experiment in Drug Policy. New York: Kugler Publications. ISBN 9789062991037.
- Youngner, Stuart J.; Kimsma, Gerrit K. (2012). Physician-Assisted Dying in Perspective: Assessing the Dutch Experience. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Ian Leuw and I. Hean Marshall: Between Prohibition and Legalisation: The Dutch Experiment in Drug Policy: New York: Kugler: 1994
- Stuart Younger and Gerrit Kinsma (eds) Physician Assisted Dying in Perspective: Assessing the Dutch Experience: Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 2012