Discovering the Dutch
On Culture and Society of the Netherlands
Distributed for Amsterdam University Press
What are the most salient and sparkling facts about the Netherlands that those interested in its history need to know? This volume tackles the heart of this question of Dutch identity through a number of essential themes that run through the culture, history, and society of the Netherlands. Running the gamut from the Randstad to the Dutch Golden Age, from William of Orange to Anne Frank, Discovering the Dutch uses a series of charming vignettes written by academic experts in their fields in order to address historical and contemporary issues such as immigration, tolerance, and the struggle against water, as well as issues of culture—painting, literature, architecture, and design among them.
“Like the paintings of Holland’s Golden Age, the Dutch themselves have many layers of meaning. Discovering the Dutch unravels the mysteries and contradictions of these people, to whom we owe the foundations of western principles of democracy and justice. Did you know that Hans Brinker was more American than Dutch? Want to understand how the Dutch Calvinists literally bet their houses on a tulip bulb? Read this book for these and other fascinating insights.”
“Judicious, useful, expert and concise—it would be hard to imagine a better guide to the cultural and historical reality of Dutch society today.”
“From Rembrandt to Anne Frank, pancakes to coffee shops, canal houses to modern design, this volume explores myths and explodes misconceptions about the Netherlands and ‘Dutchness.’ Whether you are planning to spend a week in Amsterdam or are writing a dissertation on Dutch culture and history, this is a very useful volume.”
Map of the Netherlands
Introduction
Emmeline Besamusca & Jaap Verheul
· Neither Wooden Legs nor Wooden Shoes: Elusive Encounters with Dutch Identity
Wiljan van den Akker
Society
1 Citizens, Coalitions and the Crown
Emmeline Besamusca
· Princess Máxima: Enchanting the Monarchy
· Binnenhof: Traditional Heart of a Modern Democracy
2 The Economy of the Polder
Jan Luiten van Zanden
· Bulbs, Flowers and Cheese: The Agricultural Face of an Urban Economy
· Royal Dutch Shell: Corporate Legacy and Colonialism
3 Dilemmas of the Welfare State
Lex Heerma van Voss
· Labor Productivity: Balancing Work and Leisure
· Pensions: Well-Deserved and Well-Funded
4 Randstad Holland
Ben de Pater & Rob van der Vaart
· The Amsterdam Canal Ring: Urban Heritage of the Golden Age
· The Port of Rotterdam: A Logistical Hub of Europe
5 Idealism and Self-Interest in World Politics
Duco Hellema
· Hollanditis: The Politics of Pacifism
· Srebrenica: A Catastrophic Peace Mission
History
6 From the Periphery to the Center
Marco Mostert
· The Roman Limes: A Cultural Meeting Place
· Hebban Olla Vogala: The Beginnings of Literature
7 The Golden Age
Maarten Prak
· The Tulip Bubble: Horticultural Speculation
· William of Orange: Founding Father
8 A Tradition of Tolerance
Wijnand Mijnhardt
· Hugo Grotius: Founder of Enlightenment Thought
· Baruch de Spinoza: Philosopher of Liberty
9 Politics between Accommodation and Commotion
Ido de Haan
· Pillarization: Segregation and Consensus
· Pim Fortuyn: Libertarian Populist
10 The Second World War – Dilemmas of Occupation
Christ Klep
· Auweis: The Danger of Identity Registration
· Anne Frank: Icon of the Holocaust
Art & Culture
11 The Making of Rembrandt and Van Gogh
Ghislain Kieft & Quirine van der Steen
· Vermeer: Interior Fantasies
· Mondrian: Is this Art?
12 Style and Lifestyle in Architecture
Rob Dettingmeijer
· The Rietveld Schröder House: Icon of Architecture for the Modern Age
· The Royal Tropical Institute: Architectural Symbol of Colonialism
13 Literature, Authors and Public Debate
Frans Ruiter & Wilbert Smulders
· Multatuli: Anti-Colonial Literature
· The Assault: Writing the Second World War
14 Three Feminist Waves
Rosemarie Buikema & Iris van der Tuin
· Joke Smit: Mobilizing Female Discontent
· Dolle Mina: Second-Wave Feminism and the Media
15 Excellence and Egalitarianism in Higher Education
Jeroen Torenbeek & Jan Veldhuis
· Aletta Jacobs: Emancipation through Education
· University College: Challenging Academic Traditions
Contemporary Issues
16 Religious Diversification or Secularization?
David Bos
· The Portuguese Synagogue: Monument of Asylum
· Mosques in the Polder: Corner Stones or Stumbling Blocks?
17 Immigration and Multiculturalism
Hans Entzinger
· Indonesian Rijsttafel: Sharing the Table
· Ahmed Aboutaleb: Multicultural Mayor
18 Law in Action
Freek Bruinsma
· Coffeeshops: From Permissiveness to Control
· Subsidies: Good Intentions, Bad Results
19 Living with Water
Rob van den Vaart
· The Beemster Polder: Masterpiece of Designed Reclamation
· The Great Flood: Inducement for the Delta Works
20 In Foreign Eyes
Jaap Verheul
· Hans Brinker: Morality Behind the Dikes
· Frau Antje: Ambassador of Dutchness
Notes
About the Authors
Illustrations
Index
History: European History
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