Only citizen initiatives can bring a new political culture. Therefore the problem of collective action needs to be overcome which is of no use when an individual citizen reacts against clientism while his fellow citizens are making use of it.

Laurent Hanseeuw and Jean Hindriks discuss the current issue of the number and wages of civil servants. Beyond the budgetary aspect, the growing discrimination taking place between civil servants working under contracts and those enjoying statutory positions, should be reviewed.

Marc De Vos illustrates the differences in political culture between Belgium and the Netherlands and remarks how the results are visible. He argues against political technocrats and for technocratic politics.

To maintain the tradition of excellence, it is important to realize education effectiveness, not only by reaching a number of minimal final attainment levels. It is equally essential to follow up the so-called learning improvement of each individual.

There is great animation over the introduction of “covered bonds” in Belgium for the financing of banks.

Jean Hindriks and Laurent Hanseeuw shed lights on the popular opposition against the general strike taking place this Monday 30 January. They explain the apparent paradox stating that powerful labor unions can be useful safeguard against inopportune strikes.