A New Social Contract (Dutch: Een nieuw sociaal contract) is a manifesto written by Dutch politician Pieter Omtzigt with a contribution by philosopher Welmoed Vlieger. It was published on 23 February 2021. When Omtzigt wrote it, he was number 2 on the candidate list of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) for the 2021 Dutch general election. In the book, Omtzigt described his political vision.[1] The book serves as the basis for the political party New Social Contract, which Omtzigt founded for the 2023 Dutch general election.[2]
 | |
| Author | Pieter Omtzigt Welmoed Vlieger |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Lykele Muus |
| Language | Dutch |
| Subject | Manifesto |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Uitgeverij Prometheus |
Publication date | 23 February 2021 |
| Publication place | Netherlands |
| Pages | 221 |
| ISBN | 9789044648058 |
Content
editThe lead chapter of A New Social Contract is a personal interview with Omtzigt conducted by Vlieger.[3] This is followed by chapters on the European Union, on the use of models, and the Dutch childcare benefits scandal. Subsequently, Omtzigt argues for a new social contract in order to have more countervailing power within the government. Omtzigt makes ten proposals for this in the book, including:
- the establishment of a Dutch constitutional court vested with the power of constitutional review
- the institution of a regional electoral system
- improved social security measures
- greater use of think tanks in lieu of research institutes
Reception
editA New Social Contract sold 18,000 copies within two weeks.[4]
The book appeared in the weekly rankings of The Bestseller 60 for twenty weeks in 2021, peaking in second place.[5] It reached first place in August 2023, when the book reappeared on the list after Omtzigt had founded his eponymous political party.[6]
A New Social Contract earned Omtzigt almost €150,000 in 2021. Omtzigt has indicated that he intends to donate the net amount – after deducting a salary and income tax – to the food bank and clothing bank in his hometown of Enschede, Overijssel.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hanna, Marc (22 May 2021). "Een Nieuw Sociaal Contract: Omtzigts Belangrijkste Politieke Lessen En Aanbevelingen". Interruptie (in Dutch). Christian Democratic Youth Appeal. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Partij Nieuw Sociaal Contract opgericht". Pieteromtzigt.nl (in Dutch). 20 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ Lammers, Esther (13 March 2021). "Pieter Omtzigt als Kuifje in de politiek". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Pieter Omtzigt schreef het populairste politieke boek". NRC (in Dutch). 8 March 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Een nieuw sociaal contract". Debestseller60.nl (in Dutch). Collectieve Propaganda van het Nederlandse Boek. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Boek Pieter Omtzigt is na twee jaar plotseling weer een bestseller". NOS (in Dutch). 30 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Bhikhie, Avinash (15 August 2023). "Baudet en Omtzigt maximaal gekort op Kamersalaris om neveninkomsten". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 August 2023.