A Post- or Super-Nationality in the European Union

Series Preface

 

The Dutch: Creativity in the Face of Nature

 

The Dutch have settled the coastline where rivers from central Europe flow into the North Sea. They were exposed to winds and waves, and learned, with the guiding aid of the forces of nature, how to create lakes, build windmills (harvesting energy), and ingeniously exploit sea and wind for wrighting ocean-going vessels; thus, developing commerce, joining sea and river shipping, and creating an industry based on the use of wind energy. Windmills helped them saw logs imported by ship from Scandinavia and, subsequently, construct large vessels that sailed to distant lands.

 

   Since the main difficulties facing the Dutch were the forces of nature, they developed a practical approach to overcoming obstacles, devoid of the hostility engendered in people whose main opponents are human. The difficulties presented by natural forces, in contradistinction to those created by human foes, do not involve hatred, rather, they solicit mental practical solutions. The Dutch, therefore, uplifted themselves by their predisposition toward practical resolution of difficulties, while other groups were emotionally preoccupied with human rivalries. This is why the Dutch did not rebel against the rule of Spanish monarchy until it had denied them the right to live according to their religious beliefs.

   The Glorious Revolution that the Dutch carried out in England under William III, in order to rid themselves of their enemy, the king of Spain, reflects the vision and initiative the Dutch have previously perfected in the course of their struggle against the forces of nature. Dutch practicality came, once more, to the fore during World War II, when they showed extremely limited opposition to the conquering Nazi forces, and did not strive too hard to retain sovereignty over their homeland – a fact supporting the school of thought which maintains that they are no longer a nationality.

   Dutch uniqueness is expressed by their concept of pillarization. When Germany conquered the Netherlands, the unique Dutch way of life was not seriously threatened because the Dutch cooperated, thus showing their status as a non-national group, since their most cherished treasure is their unique way of life, not political independence.

 

   In the absence of a political national aim, the Dutch have no real nationality and would be happy to take part in the integration of the EU. Therefore, and because they feel kinship with other European groups, they are likely to adopt the nascent national identity of the European super-nationality. 

 

 

 

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