Edmund Burke Foundation

The Edmund Burke Foundation is a conservative think tank based in the Netherlands. It was founded by Bart Jan Spruyt in December 2000 in an effort to “conserve the virtuous elements of Dutch society, and to restore those virtuous elements that have been lost”.

The foundation’s website gives an account of how the think tank was founded:

“Resisting, the prevailing 'progressive' political and cultural climate in The Netherlands, a group of young conservatives hoisted the flag of conservatism high in December of 2000. They named their foundation after the founder of intellectual conservatism, the British Member of Parliament Edmund Burke (1730-1797). In the spirit of Burke we are of the opinion that much that was worth preserving and cherishing has been destroyed in recent decades in our country. Many fundamental ideas from the Judeo-Christian and classical-humanist traditions-the two pillars of our civilization-were unjustly pushed aside, social connections were broken, and within this vacuum of individualization and increasing anonymity the role of government has grown to grotesque proportions. ”

According to Corpwatch the role of the foundation has diminished since 2005 due to pharmaceutical firm Pfizer withdrawing funding from the think tank.

The organisation

The Edmund Burke Foundation promotes strong free market reforms and opposing abortion, euthanasia, and gay marriage. It also supports the idea that there is no convincing evidence for global warming. It was founded in 2000 and is the only conservative think-tank in the Netherlands.

The Burke Foundation regularly publishes reports and studies on a variety of topics, including the Dutch healthcare sector, privatization, wasteful government spending and conservative thought. Although the message of the Foundation would be considered a normal conservative Republican message in the United States, it places the Foundation in an awkward position in the Netherlands. Many radical activists regard the message of the Burke Foundation (which is in favor of healthcare privatization and tax cuts) as a threat to society." [6]

Views

Immigration

On the subject of immigration founder of The Edmund Burke Foundation, Bart Jan Spruyt argued that "Unfortunately, the debate about Dutch identity is too often held at a very trite and trivial level as if the discussion is between Brussels sprouts and wooden shoes on the one hand, and couscous and caftans on the other," going on to add "What is really at stake, due to frivolous immigration policies and decades of multicultural indifference, is the identity of the Dutch nation, Dutch history and culture as a part of the history of Western civilization.".

Bart Jan Spruyt also accompanied Geert Wilders on a visit to the U.S. in 2005:

I still recall sitting next to Bart Jan Spruyt for a dinner meeting of conservative leaders at a Midtown restaurant in 2005. Mr. Spruyt, the founder of the Dutch think tank Edmund Burke Foundation, was visiting here with a member of the Dutch Parliament, Geert Wilders. Bodyguards stood outside the closed meeting because Mr. Wilders had been under a death threat from radical Islamists because of his insistence on a moratorium on foreign immigration and his opposition to Turkey entering the European Union..

In 2004 Jan Spruyt also argued against Turkey entering the EU, arguing that "People have become more aware of the huge problems you face to make another culture and another religion compatible with your own,"

People

BOARD & STAFF

• Prof. Andreas Kinneging, Chairman
• Dr. Bart J. Spruyt,

Secretary & Treasurer

• Michiel Visser, International Secretary

Its director is Bart Jan Spruyt, who was a personal friend of the populist Pim Fortuyn. Fortuyn was murdered in 2002 in the runup to the elections in the Netherlands.

Funding

According to a report on Corporate Watch:

The Netherlands-based Edmund Burke Foundation took over $400,000 from Pfizer in 2001-5 and imploded when Pfizer stopped funding them.

Funding is received through private donations ranging from € 25 to € 500 per year. Possibilities for Corporate donations are "available upon request" The pharmaceutical company Pfizer was funding the Edmund Burke Foundation from 2001 - 2005. The Edmund Burke Foundation has also received funding from Microsoft.

Associations

Edmund Burke Foundation is listed in the Atlas Economic Research Foundation which describes itself as "[...] the leading international organization for supporting independent think tanks advancing freedom [since 1981]".

Mission

To train students in conservative thoughts. The foundation organises seminars and summer camps for talented students .

Resources

• The foundation's website: http://www.burkestichting.nl
• Sourcewatch on the foundation: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Edmund_Burke_Foundation
• Atlas Economic Research Foundation http://www.atlasusa.org/directory/institute_profile.php?refer=directory&org_id=571
• Sea Urchin Editions http://www.sea-urchin.net/radiobaghdad/bugger8.html

Contact

• Edmund Burke Foundation
• Postbus 10498
• 2501 HL The Hague
• T: +31 (0)70 - 3925180 +31 (0)70 - 3925180
• F: +31 (0)70 - 3651809