lo Squaderno (Sep 2008)

The cultural Politics of ‘Dutchness’

  • Marc de Leeuw,
  • Sonja van Wichelen

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 9
pp. 51 – 54

Abstract

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To understand recent transformations of “Dutchness” it is crucial to look again to the development of Dutch liberalism. Both tolerance and liberalism are seen as Dutch accomplishments: from Holland as a free-haven for the religiously persecuted in the 17th century – of which Descartes and Spinoza are the most famous – to the image of progressive politics on sexuality, drugs, prostitution, and euthanasia.

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