Here are some links so you can update yourself about the "Dutch" Republic. I will be reading these too.
In ‘s Nederlands:
Often the same information, but still valuable.
http://www.entoen.nu/republiek
http://www.innl.nl/page/5841/nl
http://www.jeugdbieb.nl/rubriek.php?rID=236&srID=313
http://www.cultuurwijzer.nl/cultuurwijzer.nl/cultuurwijzer.nl/i000411.html
Van Republiek naar Koninkrijk en terug naar Republiek:
http://www.tref.eu/forum/91-Opinie--Bloggers/10903-Van-republiek-naar-koninkrijk-en-terug-naar-republ.html
"Niet voor niets is in artikel 2 van deze nieuwe Grondwet vastgelegd dat het doel van de Republiek het geluk van de burger is"
"...goal of the Republic is the happiness of the citizen..."
This has to be specified. When I'm happy, it doesn't automatically mean my neighbour is too. A subjective aspect like "happiness" can't be used as a foundation to build a constitution on, I think. So maybe we don't need a specification.
http://www.republikanisme.nl/meine.html
http://www.tref.eu/index.php/tref-webforum/117-verkiezingen-2010/10869-democratie-is-een-facade.html#10869
The Netherlands is already a republic. I think, of all articles about the Netherlands and the Dutch Republic, this is my favourite: http://www.liberalemedia.nl/politiek/1403-nederland-is-een-republiek. Think whatever you want, there are good and bad points made. I can at least kick against crown and article (I know that sounds contradictory), and maybe I will on this blog.
In Anglaise:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Republic
http://www.huizingainstituut.nl/lecture-heroism-in-the-dutch-republic/
http://www.eur.nl/fw/onderzoek/programma/geschiedenis/
http://libguides.rug.nl/content.php?pid=185170&sid=2821303
Something somewhat related:
http://www.bnr.nl/radio/de-wereld-in-360/790029-1304/de-wereld-in-360-larry-lessig-wil-de-republiek-terug
Showing posts with label the Republic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Republic. Show all posts
Friday, May 24, 2013
the Republic
Quite a few years ago I had my first gush of Orange interest. Back then the subject of my affections was Prince Johan Friso, son of Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus. He’s been in a coma for more than a year now after being caught in an avalange in 2012. My interest in him was way before Mabel gate, back in the ‘90s I think. Looking back I can’t remember why I felt attracted to him. Pretty much like now.
I’m not a royalist. Observing it all, from a distance, to me it all feels very unnatural. And because it feels unnatural, I can’t see how certain things within a monarchie can work. Yes, I know, we regulated it and our monarchie, as it is now, is for a great part ceremonial. Still, a monarchie seems like a tricky thing to me.
Queen Sophie, Alexander’s mum, once said something like, if people could see behind the scenes of a monarchie, they would become republican (in the Dutch sense of the word).
I liked that, obviously. Not only because I don’t really believe in a monarchie, but mainly because someone high up and right in there had the wits to not only noticing it, but also to confirm it. I’m sure she wrote that in one of her letters to one of her many friends, and not in public. Not in public for whatever reasons. Maybe because she didn’t have the power to set up the republic, maybe not even the power to voice her ideas. Who knows her reasons?
In an earlier post I said I don’t think we can do without the Oranges anymore. That hasn’t changed. I did get more curious about the possibilities to go back to being a republic. What would it take? Do we have all characteristics, knowledge, skills and powers needed to making it a success? And how long would we need to build the republic back to strength? I mean, it’s been more than 200 years since we actually were a republic, the Republic. In the passed two centuries the Republic has crept out of our systems, out of our minds and heads. We are subjects to a King, and that’s how we’re living our lives. We can’t remember being inhabitants of a Republic. We don’t know that life, nor do we remember how to live those lives.
Those are objections that I think can be overcome, but it would take time. A lot of time. So what would be the pros? A democratically chosen leader. No money to an expensive royal family (but to the republic). No ridicule over an out of date and highly undemocratic tradition. Yeah, I can’t think of more.
What I do want to do is read a bit more about being a republic and the pros and cons people come up with. Who knows I will do some research. If I do, you will find the results here.
And now for something completely different: I said I would post the intro, or part of, of the book “Alexander – de vergeten kroonprins” on this blog in the, then, next entry. I didn’t, because I forget to bring the book so I could type over what I wanted you to read. I will do so as soon I don’t forget to bring the book, or when I’m back home. Maybe this weekend, maybe next week. Probably never. In other words, don’t hold your breath.
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| Prince Johan Friso |
I’m not a royalist. Observing it all, from a distance, to me it all feels very unnatural. And because it feels unnatural, I can’t see how certain things within a monarchie can work. Yes, I know, we regulated it and our monarchie, as it is now, is for a great part ceremonial. Still, a monarchie seems like a tricky thing to me.
Queen Sophie, Alexander’s mum, once said something like, if people could see behind the scenes of a monarchie, they would become republican (in the Dutch sense of the word).
In an earlier post I said I don’t think we can do without the Oranges anymore. That hasn’t changed. I did get more curious about the possibilities to go back to being a republic. What would it take? Do we have all characteristics, knowledge, skills and powers needed to making it a success? And how long would we need to build the republic back to strength? I mean, it’s been more than 200 years since we actually were a republic, the Republic. In the passed two centuries the Republic has crept out of our systems, out of our minds and heads. We are subjects to a King, and that’s how we’re living our lives. We can’t remember being inhabitants of a Republic. We don’t know that life, nor do we remember how to live those lives.
Those are objections that I think can be overcome, but it would take time. A lot of time. So what would be the pros? A democratically chosen leader. No money to an expensive royal family (but to the republic). No ridicule over an out of date and highly undemocratic tradition. Yeah, I can’t think of more.
And now for something completely different: I said I would post the intro, or part of, of the book “Alexander – de vergeten kroonprins” on this blog in the, then, next entry. I didn’t, because I forget to bring the book so I could type over what I wanted you to read. I will do so as soon I don’t forget to bring the book, or when I’m back home. Maybe this weekend, maybe next week. Probably never. In other words, don’t hold your breath.
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