Most recent columns

Harry Geels: The ‘we’re doing so well’ fallacy

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:33:46 +0200

_{This column was originally written in Dutch. This is an English translation.}

By Harry Geels

There is a curious stock phrase in Dutch public debate. As soon as someone complains about the high tax burden, the problems in the housing market, or the cost of additional defence spending, it isn’t long before someone else says: ‘But we’ve got it incredibly good here, haven’t we?’

Harry Geels: Tackling ageism with a negative income tax

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:02:55 +0200

_{This column was originally written in Dutch. This is an English translation.}

By Harry Geels

Discrimination against older people in the labour market is a well-known phenomenon. At the same time, many people want to remain active in society for longer. The debate on raising the state pension age highlights how difficult the current system finds it to deal with this issue. The negative income tax I proposed earlier could help resolve both challenges at the same time.

Harry Geels: Three hard-hitting final conclusions on the Box 3 debacle

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:20:02 +0200

_{This column was originally written in Dutch. This is an English translation.}

By Harry Geels

The debate surrounding Box 3 reveals a country that is highly polarised, is struggling enormously with an outdated and overly complicated tax system, and is collectively suffering from the ‘money illusion’.

Harry Geels: The myth of unearned wealth

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:17:25 +0200

_{This column was originally written in Dutch. This is an English translation.}

By Harry Geels

Terms such as ‘unearned wealth’ or ‘taxable windfalls’ are appearing with increasing frequency in economic and tax debates. However, these are not standard analytical concepts from the field of economics, but rather normative and political-philosophical concepts used to justify certain forms of taxation.

Harry Geels: Put an end to the left-right framework – part 2

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:48:56 +0200

_{This column was originally written in Dutch. This is an English translation.}

By Harry Geels

Last week, I argued that the current left-right framework falls seriously short. This week, I’m focusing on the left-hand side of my political axis. There, too, the differences appear to be much greater than is often assumed.