Mark Bovens News Today

The word ‘meritocracy' was used in the 1950s as a warning of a tyranny in which the cleverest, or rather most educated, ruled society and passed on their privilege. That dystopia has now arrived.

Several professors will spend time on Monday discussing alternative forms that could be used to create the next Cabinet to lead the Netherlands. They will meet with Kim Putters, who was nominated by Parliament to lead a new round of talks with political parties and experts starting this week. During this four-week “intermediate phase” of the formation process, Putters wants to gain clarity about the different ways in which parties can cooperate to create a coalition.

The IND offices in The Hague. Photo: Depositphotos.com The government needs to take a more active and structural approach to immigration, and that includes introducing civic integration programmes for everyone, government policy advisory body WRR said on Monday. The current approach to immigration and integration is rooted in the past and the government needs to recognise that the Netherlands is an attractive destination for immigrants from all corners of the world, the report said. ‘The Neth...