What do computers and smartphones have in common with the railways, electricity, and the automobile? Each triggered a technological revolution that radically changed the way in which vwe live, work, eat, shop and enjoy ourselves.

From Luxury to Necessity shows how these technological revolutions affected everyday life and led to new consumer practices. Even though they would develop into absolute necessities within decades, all of them started as novelties for which meaningful uses were still...

On 26 November 2013, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee Schiphol District's new barracks complex, the 'Koningin Máxima' Barracks, was officially opened. The opening of this ultra-modern barracks represents an ideal occasion to reflect on the history of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (RNLM) at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Since the first passenger flight on 17 May 1920, Schiphol has developed into one of the largest airports in Europe.

The RNLM has been responsible for border control at t...

The terrorist attacks that have been haunting European capitals show us that counterterrorism is necessary and essential in modern day society. The intelligence services and other organisations active in the field of counterterrorism are faced on a daily basis with the question of how extensive and intrusive their actions can be. What are the limits? Which actions are ethical? And most importantly: how do the professionals themselves deal with these - often complex - dilemmas? In Ethics of Co...