Luuk van Middelaar
Encyclopedia
Luuk Johannes van Middelaar (1973- ) is a Dutch
historian
and political philosopher who was a member of the Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (VVD), which is the biggest conservative-liberal formation in the Netherlands
. Since December 2009 Van Middelaar is member of the cabinet of Herman Van Rompuy
, the first President of the European Council
.
He studied history and philosophy at the University of Groningen
and the Centre Raymond Aron of the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris. In 1999 his masters thesis (doctoraalscriptie in Dutch
) "Politicide" was published. He became for a time the political adviser and speechwriter of Frits Bolkestein
and Jozias van Aartsen
. From August 2008 to December 2009 he had a political column in NRC Handelsblad
. In 2009 he got his Ph.D from the University of Amsterdam. Subject of his doctoral thesis was the origins and development of the European Union.
Van Middelaar was awarded the Prix de Paris (Prize of Paris) in 1999 and the Prijs voor de Vrijheid
(Prize of Liberty) in 2002 for his contributions to liberal thought.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and political philosopher who was a member of the Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (VVD), which is the biggest conservative-liberal formation in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Since December 2009 Van Middelaar is member of the cabinet of Herman Van Rompuy
Herman Van Rompuy
Herman Achille Van Rompuy is the first long-term and full-time President of the European Council...
, the first President of the European Council
President of the European Council
The President of the European Council is a principal representative of the European Union on the world stage, and the person presiding over and driving forward the work of the European Council...
.
He studied history and philosophy at the University of Groningen
University of Groningen
The University of Groningen , located in the city of Groningen, was founded in 1614. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands as well as one of its largest. Since its inception more than 100,000 students have graduated...
and the Centre Raymond Aron of the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris. In 1999 his masters thesis (doctoraalscriptie in Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
) "Politicide" was published. He became for a time the political adviser and speechwriter of Frits Bolkestein
Frits Bolkestein
Frederik "Frits" Bolkestein is a retired Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy . He served as a Member of the House of Representatives from 16 January 1978, until 5 November 1982, when he became State Secretary for Economic Affairs from 5 November 1982, until 14 July...
and Jozias van Aartsen
Jozias van Aartsen
Jozias Johannes van Aartsen is a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy . He is the Mayor of the Hague since March 27, 2008....
. From August 2008 to December 2009 he had a political column in NRC Handelsblad
NRC Handelsblad
NRC Handelsblad, often abbreviated to NRC, is a daily evening newspaper published in the Netherlands by NRC Media. The newspaper was created on October 1, 1970, from merger of the Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant and Algemeen Handelsblad . In 2006 a morning newspaper, nrc•next, was launched...
. In 2009 he got his Ph.D from the University of Amsterdam. Subject of his doctoral thesis was the origins and development of the European Union.
Van Middelaar was awarded the Prix de Paris (Prize of Paris) in 1999 and the Prijs voor de Vrijheid
Prize of Liberty
The Prize for Liberty is an annual award granted by the Flemish classical liberal think tank LIBERA!...
(Prize of Liberty) in 2002 for his contributions to liberal thought.