Coalition theories: empirical evidence for dutch municipalities

The paper analyzes coalition formation in Dutch municipalities. After discussing the main features of the institutional setting, several theories are discussed, which are classified as size oriented, policy oriented and actor oriented models. A test statistic is proposed to determine the predictive power of these models. The empirical analysis shows that strategic positions as well as some of the distinguished preferences are important in the setting of Dutch municipalities. Especially, the dominant minimum number principle yields highly significant results for coalition formations in the period 1978–1986

Language skills, peer rejection, and the development of externalizing behavior from kindergarten to fourth grade

Background: Children with poorer language skills are more likely to show externalizing behavior problems, as well as to become rejected by their peers. Peer rejection has also been found to affect the development of externalizing behavior. This study explored the role of peer rejection in the link between language skills and the development of externalizing behavior. Methods: Six hundred and fifteen (615) children were followed from kindergarten to grade 4. Receptive language skills were measured with the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test in grade 2. Teachers reported externalizing behavior and peer reports of social rejection were measured annually. Results: Children with poorer receptive language skills showed increasing externalizing behavior, while children with better receptive language skills showed decreases in externalizing behavior. Children with poorer receptive language skills experienced peer rejection most frequently. The link between receptive language skills and the development of externalizing behavior was mediated by the development of peer rejection. Findings suggested that this mediational link applied mostly to boys. Conclusion: Children with poorer language skills are at increased risk of becoming rejected by mainstream peers, which adds to the development of externalizing behavior. © 2010 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. © 2010 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Regulatory Futures in Retrospect

In our 1998 volume ‘The Politics of Chemical Risk: Scenarios for a regulatory Future’ we envisioned four ideal typical scenarios for the future of European chemicals policies. The scenarios focused on the nature of expertise (seen either as a universal or a localised phenomenon) and the organisation of the boundary between science and policy (as either diverging or converging). The four scenarios were titled International Experts, European Risk Consultation, European Coordination of Assessment, and Europe as a Translator. For all four scenarios, we hypothesized internal dynamics and articulated dilemmas related to the development of the sciences contributing to chemical assessment, the relation between the EU and member states and the role of the public. In this contribution, we look back on our four scenarios fifteen years later, to see which ones have materialized and to explore whether the dilemmas we saw have indeed surfaced. We conclude that the International Experts scenario by and large has materialized and explore some of the underlying tensions and dynamics in this development

Case Note: The Netherlands

Case citation: LJN BV5623 (appeal in cassation re Arnhem Appeal Court, 19 August 2010, LJN: BN4204) (Derogatory images on the internet; effectiveness of a disclaimer

Case Translation: The Netherlands

Gerechtshof ‘s Gravenhage 9 maart 2011 LJN: BP7080, Gerechtshof te ‘s-Gravenhage meervoudige kamer voor strafzaken (Appeals Court at The Hague, Criminal bench),dossier number: 22-002281-10, with thanks to Dr Maurice Schellekens for help with this translation. (Threats to kill posted on web site; accused posted comments by using the connection of a third party via wi fi without permission; whether using the computer of a third party without permission is an offence in Dutch law; electronic evidence

Estimating nonresponse bias and mode effects in a mixed mode survey

In mixed-mode surveys, it is difficult to separate sample selection differences from mode-effects that can occur when respondents respond in different interview settings. This paper provides a framework for separating mode-effects from selection effects by matching very similar respondents from different survey modes using propensity score matching. The answer patterns of the matched respondents are subsequently compared. We show that matching can explain differences in nonresponse and coverage in two Internet-samples. When we repeat this procedure for a telephone and Internet-sample however, differences persist between the samples after matching. This indicates the occurrence of mode-effects in telephone and Internet surveys. Mode-effects can be problematic; hence we conclude with a discussion of designs that can be used to explicitly study mode-effects

Smellmap: Amsterdam, 2014

Creating a smellmap of a city is a collaborative exercise. During a series of smellwalks, local participants identify distinct aromas emanating from specific locations and record the description, expectation, intensity, personal association, and reaction. I then analyse this data, along with conversations arising from the walks, and select a set of smells that convey the smellscape of the city at that moment in time, visualsing the scents and their locations in the city as a “map”. The resulting map visualisations are propositions: indications of what one might smell in a certain place. The map is accompanied by scents which are the nasal stimuli, and a catalyst for discussion. This visualisation/olfactory art emphasises human interaction with a vast set of contestable sensory data

Case Note: The Netherlands

21 November 2007, LJN BC0337, Rechtbank (Lower Court) Amsterdam. Dr. Simone van der Hof

Case Note: The Netherlands

Case citation: LJN BV4738 (appeal in cassation re Arnhem Appeal Court, 16 June 2010, LJN: MB8100) (Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) data; improperly obtained evidence; lack of reasoning for the decision by the Appeal Court)

Decomposing the Effects of Financial Liberalization: Crises vs. Growth

This find is registered at Portable Antiquities of the Netherlands with number PAN-0001343