Meet the Thinkers: Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer & Guy Verhofstadt

Writer Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer and former politician Guy Verhofstadt are both publishing a book on democracy. During a special evening, they will enter into conversation with one another. 

Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer, known for bestselling novels such as Grand Hotel Europa and Alkibiades, is publishing Absolute democratie. Kroniek van een aangekondigde afrekening (“Absolute Democracy. Chronicle of a Foretold Reckoning”). In this book, he gathers the articles he wrote for the newspaper De Morgen on current themes such as populism, culture wars, and surveillance capitalism. 

In De burger in opstand (“The Citizen in Revolt”), Guy Verhofstadt explores the future of politics and liberal democracy. He discusses the erosion of our democratic institutions, the growing influence of autocratic leaders, and the declining trust of citizens in politics. 

An interesting evening for anyone who wants to understand how our democracy can be reinvented.