On Culture and Society of

the Netherlands

the DutchDiscovering

EMMELINE BESAMUSCA & JAAP VERHEUL [EDS.]

r e v i s e d a n d e n l a r g e d e d i t i o n

d i s c o v e r i n g t h e d u t c h

E d i t e d b y

e m m e l i n e b e s a m u s c a

j a a p v e r h e u l

a m s t e r d a m u n i v e r s i t y p r e s s

On Culture and Society of

the Netherlands

the DutchDiscovering

– r e v i s e d a n d e n l a r g e d e d i t i o n –

ISBN 978 90 8964 792 4

e-ISBN 978 90 4852 609 3

NUR 688

© Emmeline Besamusca and Jaap Verheul / Amsterdam University Press B.V., Amsterdam 2014

Cover design, book design and image research: Kok Korpershoek

Cover illustration: Victor Torres

Amsterdam University Press English-language titles are distributed in the US and Canada by the

University of Chicago Press.

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publisher.

Table of Contents

Note for the Revised Edition

Introduction e m m e l i n e b e s a m u s c a a n d j a a p v e r h e u l

Neither Wooden Legs nor Wooden Shoes: Elusive Encounters with Dutchnessw i l j a n v a n d e n a k k e r

Society

1 Citizens, Coalitions, and the Crowne m m e l i n e b e s a m u s c a

Queen Máxima: Enchanting the MonarchyBinnenhof: Traditional Heart of a Modern Democracy

2 Politics between Accommodation and Commotioni d o d e h a a n

Pillarization: Pacification and Segregation Pim Fortuyn: Libertarian Populist

3 Economy of the Polderj a n l u i t e n v a n z a n d e n

Bulbs, Flowers, and Cheese: The Agricultural Face of an Urban EconomyRoyal Dutch Shell: Corporate Legacy of Colonialism

4 Dilemmas of the Welfare State l e x h e e r m a v a n v o s s

Labor Productivity: Balancing Work and LeisurePensions: Well-Deserved and Well-Funded

5 Randstad Holland b e n d e p a t e r a n d r o b v a n d e r v a a r t

The Amsterdam Canal Ring: Urban Heritage of the Golden AgeThe Port of Rotterdam: Logistical Hub of Europe

6 Distinctive within the Global Fold? p a u l s c h n a b e l

The Elfstedentocht: Beating the Forces of NatureSinterklaas: A Controversial Morality Tale

5

11

13

16

21

2326

33

3439

45

4549

57

5863

69

7075

83

8691

History

7 From the Periphery to the Center m a r c o m o s t e r t

The Roman Limes: A Cultural Meeting Place Hebban Olla Vogala: The Beginnings of Literature

8 The Golden Age m a a r t e n p r a k

The Tulip Bubble: Horticultural SpeculationWilliam of Orange: Founding Father

9 A Tradition of Tolerancew i j n a n d m i j n h a r d t

Hugo Grotius: Founder of Enlightenment ThoughtBaruch de Spinoza: Philosopher of Liberty

10 From Colonial Past to Postcolonial Presentg e r t o o s t i n d i e

Slavery: Recognizing a Black Page in Dutch HistoryIndonesian Independence: Silenced Warfare, Hesitant Reconciliation

11 The Second World War: The Dilemmas of Occupationc h r i s t k l e p

Ausweis: The Dangers of Identity RegistrationAnne Frank: Icon of the Holocaust

12 Religious Diversification or Secularization?d a v i d b o s

The Portuguese Synagogue: Monument of Asylum Mosques in the Polder: Corner Stones or Stumbling Blocks?

Arts & Culture

13 The Making of Rembrandt and Van Goghg h i s l a i n k i e f t a n d q u i r i n e v a n d e r s t e e n

Vermeer: Interior FantasiesMondrian: Is this Art?

14 Style and Lifestyle in Architecture r o b d e t t i n g m e i j e r

The Rietveld Schröder House: Icon of Architecture for the Modern Age The Royal Tropical Institute: Architectural Symbol of Colonialism

6

97

99105

109

111113

121

124126

133

134139

145

148152

157

162165

171

175179

183

187194

15 Literature, Authors, and Public Debate f r a n s r u i t e r a n d w i l b e r t s m u l d e r s

Multatuli: Anti-Colonial LiteratureThe Assault: Writing the Second World War

16 Three Feminist Waves r o s e m a r i e b u i k e m a a n d i r i s v a n d e r t u i n

Joke Smit: Mobilizing Female DiscontentDolle Mina: Second-Wave Feminism and the Media

17 The Double Bind of Televisions o n j a d e l e e u w

Broadcasting Guides: Mediating IdentitiesUtopia: Selling a Window on the Future

18 Global Dutchm a r j o v a n k o p p e n

Afrikaans: Creolized HeritageFrisian: Acknowledging Linguistic Pluralism

Contemporary Issues

19 Living with Waterr o b v a n d e r v a a r t

The Beemster Polder: Masterpiece of Designed ReclamationThe Great Flood: Inducement for the Delta Works

20 Excellence and Egalitarianism in Higher Education j e r o e n t o r e n b e e k a n d j a n v e l d h u i s

Aletta Jacobs: Emancipation through Education University College Utrecht: Challenging Academic Traditions

21 Immigration and Diversityh a n e n t z i n g e r

Indonesian Rijsttafel: Sharing the Table Ahmed Aboutaleb: Mayor of a Diverse City

22 Legal Culturew i b o v a n r o s s u m

Coffeeshops: Controlled Permissiveness Smoking Ban: Between Health and Liberty

7

199

202206

211

213216

223

224231

235

242244

249

250253

261

265269

275

277283

287

290294

23 Idealism and Self-Interest in the World d u c o h e l l e m a

Hollanditis: The Politics of PacifismSrebrenica: A Catastrophic Peace Mission

24 In Foreign Eyes j a a p v e r h e u l

Hans Brinker: Morality Behind the DikesFrau Antje: Ambassador of Dutchness

Notes

About the Authors

Illustrations

Index

8

299

301306

311

315318

323

335

341

343

geomedia, faculty of geosciences, utrecht university

The Netherlands