The return of the wolf to the Netherlands – Changes in the monopolisation of fear?

In this paper we draw from figuration sociology to understand how fear as a component of human-wildlife interactions has changed within Dutch society. Specifically, we use the concept of monopolisation of fear by the state as a mechanism to investigate the changes that occurred in a country where the wolf was absent for over a century, until its return in 2015. We generate these insights by making use of a Multivocal Literature Review, focusing on three angles, namely the cultural, ecological and political landscape in the Netherlands, to research changes over a period of more than 75 years. We found that monopolisation of fear increased during the first few decades and then remained stable, creating favourable conditions for the wolf to enter the Netherlands. However, nearing the 2020s, multiple events seem to tear down the necessary trust among Dutch society in the government, leading to less acceptance of the wolf in the Netherlands, and the use of the wolf in debates as a proxy for broader distrust in public policy.