Opinion November 2012

Henk van Benthem: The origin of Zwarte Piet The origin and status of the character of Zwarte Piet have never been properly established. He could be based on the Saracen valet of Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe, writes Henk van Benthum

Dear Diary

Former academic Diederik Stapel was caught out faking research and now he is publishing his diaries. Hanneke Sanou has her own ideas about the contents:

Annemarie van Gaal: Parasites Annemarie van Gaal doesn't like banks who withdraw loans to companies at the drop of a hat and then buy them up for peanuts

Gert-Jan Segers: We need another Wilberforce to stand up to modern slavery Prostitution and human trafficking are inextricably linked. We are condoning a form of modern slavery, writes Gert-Jan Segers.

Greg Shapiro: Zwarte Piet and DHL Greg Shapiro thinks he might have turned his children into little racists.

Ad Scheepbouwer: the polishing has started The new government's challenge is to reconstruct the country, says Ad Scheepbouwer.

Neelie Smit: Digital oil Neelie Smit thinks digital data is the future but we will have to face a couple of pesky issues, like privacy.

Youp van 't Hek: The big C Why Youp van 't Hek won't grow an anti-prostate cancer moustache and coincidence doesn't exist

Reboot Sinterklaas As the annual debate about Sinterklaas begins anew, American Netherlander Greg Shapiro says: Why not a Sinterklaas Reboot? Specifically, why not take Zwarte Piet and give him a Michael Jackson makeover?

Annemarie van Gaal: A healthy lifestyle pays Make the own-risk element income-dependent and we might end up with affordable healthcare after all, says Annemarie van Gaal

Rob de Wijk: The Netherlands can no longer do as the Americans do

The Netherlands should rethink its foreign policy, writes Rob de Wijk.

Greg Shapiro: Nederland cheers Obama - more than their own Cabinet It was quite an Election Day in America this week - and in the Netherlands as well. For the most part, Dutch people are overjoyed although they’re not able to explain why, exactly, writes Greg Shapiro.

Building bridges between jobs

The new cabinet wants to build bridges, but faced with a shrinking economy it will be struggling, say Tilburg University labour market researchers.

Annemarie van Gaal: Developing countries Developing countries are catching up fast. Development aid can be more of a hindrance than a help, writes Annemarie van Gaal

The Holland Bureau: Cutting the AIVD: Provincialism over Protection As the VVD-PvdA coalition agreement goes through the process of party and parliamentary deliberation, some significant issues are coming out, particularly the likely effect on the security services, writes Giles Scott-Smith of The Holland Bureau.

Neelie Kroes: A bridge too far Neelie Kroes is not impressed with the government accord: ICT, it turns out, is a bridge too far for the new coalition.

Youp van 't Hek: Happy Endings Youp van 't Hek thinks happy endings are not on the cards for Rutte, Samsom and Moszkowicz

Greg Shapiro: When Hurricane Sandy Meets The Lowlands What would the Netherlands look like if it was hit by Hurricane Sandy, wonders Greg Shapiro.

Barend van Lieshout: Love thy neighbour (and look after him, too) Barend van Lieshout sees big health care changes on the horizon. The Dutch will have to get used to care in the community.