Description

Links:

https://youtu.be/4t6iEGO0IJ0

https://youtu.be/Rfbi4P-5whQ

Briefing Document: The State of the Netherlands, the EU, and the Elite

Overview

This briefing document summarizes key themes and ideas from two interviews featuring Jort Kelder, a prominent Dutch journalist, publicist, and author. The discussions touch upon the state of Dutch democracy, its role in the European Union, economic policies, and the evolving nature of the elite. A recurring thread is Kelder's concern about bureaucracy, lack of accountability, and a "decadent" and "dependent" populace, juxtaposed with a call for more efficiency, personal responsibility, and a re-evaluation of the relationship between the state, its citizens, and the wealthy.

Kelder paints a picture of a Netherlands suffocated by bureaucracy, risk aversion, and a lack of accountability. He exemplifies this with the anecdote of his 200-meter street renovation taking eight months: "We zitten hier in het centrum van Amstel een beetje aan de oost rand van het centrumstraatje uit in plantageburt uit 19e eeuw en kennelijk was er sinds ik geloof 1946 niks gedaan aan of 48 zeg maar in de 40er jaren net na die oorlog hebben ze er nieuwe leidingen ingegooid enzo en dat moest opnieuw ja en dat kostte in Nederland inderdaad een straatje van 200m dat kost gewoon 8 maanden en ik geloof het gewoon niet ik denk ja als ik naar buiten ga is er meestal niemand aan het werk."

He contrasts this with Singapore, a "nanny state" that is also "extremely efficient," where civil servants are held accountable for making society more prosperous, even earning bonuses for doing so. In the Netherlands, the focus is on "het niet maken van fout en niet ruzie krijgen met je basis en het beschermen van je budget."

Key Facts/Ideas:

• Over-bureaucratization: The Netherlands has become "extreem gebureaucratiseerd, juristensamenleving geworden, een ambtenarensamenleving geworden."
• Risk Aversion: A culture where "we vooral geen risico moeten nemen er niks fout mag gaan."
• Lack of Accountability: "Niemand wordt er ook op afgerekend dat het laat komt."
• Singapore as a Counter-Example: Singapore is run "meer als een bedrijf," prioritizing efficiency and societal prosperity.

Kelder expresses a complex and evolving view on the EU and the Euro. While initially more skeptical, he has become "een beetje Europees geworden de laatste jaren," acknowledging the need for cooperation in areas like defense and technology. However, he strongly opposes financial federalization, particularly the idea of taking on Italian debt.

He highlights the significant wealth transfer from Northern to Southern Europe, which politicians obscure through "trucjes en fondsjes en afkortingen en dingen." He criticizes countries like Italy for abolishing inheritance and wealth taxes while simultaneously receiving substantial aid from the EU. He advocates for "een Europa van twee snelheden," with northern economies forming a stronger, financially disciplined union.

Key Facts/Ideas:

• Opposition to Financial Federalization: "Ik ga niet Italiaanse schuld overnemen, punt uit."
• Hidden Wealth Transfer: A "welvaartsoverdracht van 2 3% per jaar van Noord naar Zuid" that the public is unaware of.
• Critique of Southern European Fiscal Policies: Italy, for example, is criticized for its tax policies benefiting the wealthy despite receiving EU aid.
• Call for Financial Honesty: Politicians should be transparent about the costs of EU solidarity.
• Euro's Flaws: The Euro was established as a "politieke unie zonder economische unie," leading to current problems.
• "Europe of Two Speeds": A pragmatic solution to allow northern ec...

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