should be pointed out that it worked in practice, and well by the standards of the time. On the other hand it did bring to the surface conflicts between the prosperous commercial and industrial province of Holland and the others.
             Holland was far the most important single province. It provided well over half of the total tax revenue of the Republic, and it was, moreover, frequently the only province to pay its quota promptly and completely. Consequently, it normally had a decisive influence on the government of the Republic as a whole. In fact for long periods the policy of Holland was to all intents and purposes that of the Repu
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