450-talk 1
Leiden Law School is celebrating its 450th anniversary and we have lots of special events planned to showcase what our faculty has to offer. For example, a series of ‘450-talks’ to be held at a unique location in the KOG.
The House of Thorbecke
Although our history goes back 450 years, we owe much of our disciplines and expertise to a towering figure from the 19th century: Johan Rudolph Thorbecke (1798-1872). He was behind the famous revision of the Constitution of the Netherlands in 1848 that today gives us a voice through our electoral system, setting out a clear division of power between government and parliament. The notion of the ‘House of Thorbecke’ with its three levels of government – the State, the provinces, and the municipalities – still forms the basis of our government today.
Central theme
The ‘House of Thorbecke’ is the central theme for our 450-talks, which will be organised each month in the KOG building. Exceptional speakers from our faculty will connect their own discipline to an aspect of the ‘House of Thorbecke’. The first special series of talks was launched on Monday 10 February by Wim Voermans, Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law, on the topic: ‘The true House of Thorbecke’ (please note that this talk will be given in Dutch). Next 450-talks will take place on 10 March, 14 April and 12 May. Read the agenda for more information.
The House of Thorbecke
The ‘House of Thorbecke’ serves as a powerful narrative for our special celebrations. Johan Rudolf Thorbecke was one of the most influential statesmen in Dutch history. His legacy includes the Constitution of 1848 and with it parliamentary democracy. With his new rules, he ensured that the Netherlands could develop to become the modern state and international economy it is today. His vision of a decentralised unitary state and his commitment to innovation in education laid the foundations on which our faculty is built. Just as a house is rebuilt and adapted over the years, our faculty, too, is constantly evolving to ensure it remains relevant and future-proof.
Leiden and The Hague
Thorbecke had strong links with Leiden; he was a student here, later a professor and he also served on the city council. He subsequently moved to The Hague, where he would lead three cabinets as prime minister and serve in the House of Representatives in the intervening periods. He was known as a serious, thorough and precise man, but he had a clear vision – honest government, open debate and a just society. His work remains relevant to this day, also for students in their thinking on democracy, politics and the law.