Willem Schinkel
(Kampen, 1976) is a sociologist and a well-read essayist at NRC and Groene because of his often unorthodox views on politics and society. Schinkel works at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. In his De nieuwe democratie, naar andere vormen van politiek (The New Democracy, towards Other Forms of Politics, 2012) he argues that democracy is in fact not a democracy because it lacks fundamental differences of opinion about the organisation of society. His Politieke stenogrammen (Political Stenograms, 2019) provides ammunition for anyone who wants to combat right-wing views on themes such as climate, economy and racism; his notes are a call for a different way of thinking and a different way of dealing with each other and with our earth. In De hamsteraar (The Hoarder, 2020) he shows how dangerous the 'efficiency' of logistical capitalism is and how the empty shelves at the start of the COVID-19 crisis can initiate a different way of life.
Past events
Burger King and Citizenship
The debate on the role of the citizen in democracy is in the spotlights. But is the ordinary citizen waiting for such a king's role? Why not have an election every so often? David Van Reybrouck, Bas Heijne and Willem Schinkel in search of the answer, talking to Paul van der Gaag. Nelleke Noordervliet opens with a column, diving into the history of Dutch democracy. In Dutch.
