At a first glance they don't seem to have a lot in common, the rioting youngsters in the British cities and Nigerian internet scammers. Yet there are similarities. The corruption of the political elite resonates in the lawless behaviour. Why would the people on the street obey the law if the rulers themselves are trampling justice underfoot? In an op ed piece in Dutch national newspaper
nrc.next I argue that nothing is as threatening to the constitutional state as a crooked elite. That's what England is experiencing these days, but it is a phenomenon to which all of Europe will prove to be equally vulnerable. Click on 'more' to read the article.
(more)Good news for those who in vain tried to buy my book
Gin-tonic & Cholera the last weeks: the second edition is on its way! The book on city life in Africa was sold out entirely and is now at the printer's for a reprint. On August 11 Gin-tonic & Cholera will be in the bookshops again and also sold at sites such as
bol.com. So be patient and don't buy that second-hand edition that's being offered at Bol.com for almost forty euros (!), just wait for August 11. Then the book will cost you half that amount. And for those of you who don't read Dutch - there are developments on a possible translation. I'll keep you posted through this blog.
At a first glance they don't seem to have a lot in common, the rioting youngsters in the British cities and Nigerian internet scammers. Yet there are similarities. The corruption of the political elite resonates in the lawless behaviour. Why would the people on the street obey the law if the rulers themselves are trampling justice underfoot? In an op ed piece in Dutch national newspaper nrc.next I argue that nothing is as threatening to the constitutional state as a crooked elite. That's what England is experiencing these days, but it is a phenomenon to which all of Europe will prove to be equally vulnerable. Click on 'more' to read the article.
Good news for those who in vain tried to buy my book Gin-tonic & Cholera the last weeks: the second edition is on its way! The book on city life in Africa was sold out entirely and is now at the printer's for a reprint. On August 11 Gin-tonic & Cholera will be in the bookshops again and also sold at sites such as bol.com. So be patient and don't buy that second-hand edition that's being offered at Bol.com for almost forty euros (!), just wait for August 11. Then the book will cost you half that amount. And for those of you who don't read Dutch - there are developments on a possible translation. I'll keep you posted through this blog.
