The aims, content, and organization of social and political education, which became a compulsory subject in the Netherlands in 1968, are examined. Part 1 discusses the methods and models used by the National Institute of Curriculum Development since it was established in 1975. One of its projects is to develop a common core curriculum for social and political education. The objectives and content of the new subject area, the focus of part 2, are based on the idea that man's thinking and acting are greatly influenced by society, but that he can still, for the most part, act autonomously and have impact on the circumstances of his life. The development of attitudes is emphasized. An existence-oriented approach stressing relevance and practicality is used. The six theme-areas emphasized are: education; house, home, and environment; work and leisure; technology and society; state and society; and international relations. Part 3 focuses on course organization, discussing how social and political education fits into the overall school curriculum and examining the central questions and didactic principles on which the curriculum is based, its process- and product-aims, and course evaluation. (RM)