The European character of the intellectual history of Dutch empire

Abstract

In response to Koekkoek, Richard and Weststeijn, this contribution argues against an 'add-on approach' to an intellectual history of empire that, in terms of both periodization and perspective, would be inspired by methodological nationalism. Instead of adding an intellectual history of Dutch empire to other 'national' imperial histories, we need to approach imperialism from a European perspective, broaden the discussion beyond the strict discipline of history, and strengthen the active dialogue with scholars (historians and others) who write from the perspective of the new, post-colonial nation states outside of Europe. It is urgent to counter a Netherlands-centric focus in our view of the imperial past.