Photo: e-elgar.com
How do we ensure that Planet Earth is habitable, but also liveable, for our (grand)children's (grand)children? What factors are in play, and what should we consider? In this article, I attempt to get you, the reader, involved in (perfecting) a measurement system that could become a new standard to monitor sustainable development: the Sustainable Development Index.
Recent events in the United States have given us a good look at how a country fares when trust in its institutions is undermined by power-focused people's tribunals. This raises the question of whether we sufficiently realize the value of democracy to us as citizens. In this edition of the General Government Performance Index, I explore how democracy translates into tangible returns relevant to citizens.
Illustration: Craig Stephens
There are bookcases full of books about populism. As faithful readers of my articles are aware, I can't regularly escape 'wondering' about this phenomenon. In this article, I examine what a vote cast on a populist party ultimately yields for voters. I distinguish between three scenarios: absolute power, opposition, and minority support government. For populist voters, the yield turns out to be very disappointing.
Flickr-Daniel Huizinga
In democracies, it is the voters who determine who holds power. At the same time, however, companies and other organizations spend billions every year on lobbyists and other advocates who 'help' them to influence the same politicians and governments voted into office by the people. By nature, lobbying takes place outside the general public's view and seeks beneficial results for those employing them. In this article, I argue that in a democracy such as ours, this discrepancy between open elections and hidden influence is a reason for great concern. I also make suggestions for introducing better safeguards to prevent perverse incentives in political advocacy from undermining the structure and organization of our democratic system.
The current occupant of the White House has a personality structure that is difficult to reconcile with the democratic and separation-of-powers system of the country he administers. In this article, I elaborate on this fact and try to find out what we should fear the most if he wins the elections in November or contests the election results.
Under the current president of the United States, that country is unlike anything its name suggests. The absolute separation of minds along party lines, the racial bubbles and prejudices, the perception of fact and fiction, and the hypocrisy surrounding religious experience makes it difficult to find anything in common that binds Americans together. How bad is it really, and what can we expect from the future?
Source: ANP
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, 5.7% of the world's population in 2019, lived in countries that described as 'full democracies'. In 2008 this was still 14.4%. This fact should worry all of us deeply. How is this possible, and what does it say about us as citizens and about our politicians? Have we made the right electoral choices and do our politicians sufficiently protect us against lack of freedom, disorder and arbitrariness? In this article, I examine what forces threaten us and what opens the door to that which we escaped 75 years ago.
The Associated Press
How cruel can history be? Having just secured a hard-fought victory over stubborn EU remainers, ‘Team Leave’ finally managed to escape from Brussels' straitjacket of rules and legal patronage on February 1, 2020. Within days after taking back control, however, it already had to surrender the regained sovereignty to an invisible, incalculable and deadly virus. Glory and adversity are inseparable comrades in politics. This edition of my Brexit monitor predicts that the 'walkover' Boris Johnson thought he had secured, will turn out to be an uphill battle instead.
Source: Aspen Review - issue 3/2013
Europe, at times, is its own worst enemy. Every crisis makes the EU paler, more powerless and more vulnerable. The disintegration of the EU is not an option; however; it is equivalent to political self-destruction. It is time for a new impulse. The corona crisis may turn out to be a useful catalyst. In this article, I will diagnose and prescribe for recovery.
Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP
The recent House of Commons’elections finally brought the endless Brexit soap to a sudden halt. With a majority of 43 seats and divided opposition, the Conservative party has all the cards in its hands to reshape the domestic political agenda for the next five years. It does not alter the fact, however, that there is still a long way to go internationally. 'Getting Brexit Done' is now officially a fact ... but will it work?
Loyal readers of my articles will know that I am bothered by the dogmas and simplicity, which regularly burdens the energy debate. It is unproductive, often too selective in the facts used and it ignores the complexity of the challenges we face. In this article, I try, based on an extensive investigation of the available data, to explore this issue and to find starting points for future policy and actions — both for The Netherlands as elsewhere.
The Dutch depend on cooperation and compromise to keep their feet dry. For a country which is two-third below sea level, this is an existential necessity. They use the same approach in politics to broker solutions between parties with conflicting interests in complex matters. This model is also known as the 'polder' or ‘polderen'. The success with which the Dutch apply it to tackling complex issues proves it works. This article shows that the Netherlands is outperforming other countries in this area to the benefit of its citizens.
In the 2019 edition of my General Government Performance Index (GGPI), I focus on the influence that political systems such as the form of government and electoral system have on the quality of government administration. More specifically, I try to see if there is a relationship between these components and the level of government performance and income (in) equality relevant to citizens. In this article, I also present the results of the GGPI 2019.
Again, a Brexit deadline expires without result. Brexit will be decided in a general election (or not?). Boris Johnson plays the card of protecting 'the will of the people'' to force his luck at the ballot box. Nobody has a clue what that 'will’ might be. This article attempts to figure out what 'the people' precisely wanted when they voted for 'Leave'. It might be something quite different from what the hard Brexiteers are now aiming for.
Sir Winston Churchill would turn in his grave. If the Battle of Britain was the highlight of sacrifice by the very few for the future of so many in the United Kingdom and beyond, then the Brexit is the opposite. Rarely, dysfunctional (in)action of so few, affected the future of so many. This episode of the Brexit monitor looks back, takes stock and (with due hesitation given the unpredictability of things) looks ahead.
An open letter to the members of the European Council, Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of the Republic of Ireland, and the negotiators of the European Union and the United Kingdom under Article 50.2 TEU, arguing to unlock the deadlock in Brexit negotiations and promoting a Schengen-like solution for (Northern) Ireland
Parliament Square, London - January 15, 2019 (Irish Times/picture by Kirsty O’Connor/PA)
The 15th of January 2019 should have gone into history as the day that the United Kingdom took back control from the European Union .... if not for the fact that everything in this file always unfolds in entirely other ways than expected, while actually nothing has changed that much. Theresa May is still there, the Brexit-deal is by no means dead, and the British remain hopelessly divided. In this interim Brexit-update, I try to explore the current situation, and make some predictions.
The yellow vests movement certainly attracted the attention of the French government and made governments in many European capitals think again. The so far relatively silent (lower) middle class has finally vented their cropped up frustration over higher prices, taxes and further reduction of the standards of social services. With the elections for the European Parliament scheduled for May next year, politicians need to finally address these frustrations or lose this group to parties on the extremes of the political centre. This article explores causes, examines fears and reflects on possible solutions.
Has any progress been made in the Brexit negotiations during the past weeks? The signals are vague, and the details are thin. Is there any smoke, and if so where is the fire? The little that comes out of the ‘tunnel’ suggests that progress is underway on the Irish border issue and financial services, but we are as yet not allowed to know to what extent. Although I think Brexit still is a ridiculous idea, a deal is better than no deal. This article will explain why based on a comparison of performance between Ireland and the United Kingdom, since 1973. Also, the results of the 2nd quarter of 2018 of the Brexit monitor are now available as well.
The General Government Performance Index (GGPI) maps yields of government policy decisions benefitting citizens, against the burden to produce those. It provides a surprising insight into the results of policy choices made. In the 2018 edition of the GGPI, we also take a close look at how general government performance, translates into political support for the policies pursued.
