The End of the Greed Culture?

Businessman Trump approaches politics in a fundamentally different way than his predecessors. In the corporate world, employees who do not perform are dismissed, and departments that cost more than they generate are shut down. With that same business mentality, he storms through politics, shaking the system to its core.

Saying that the Netherlands lags ten years behind America is a cliché, but not without reason. We often adopt trends and policy measures from the U.S., whether in technology, work culture, or politics. The question is not if, but when Trump's business-like approach and its consequences will make their way to the Netherlands.

Breaking the Culture of Greed

One of the most discussed aspects of Trump's political approach is his firm stance against what he sees as unnecessary and excessive government spending—a phenomenon often described as a "culture of greed." Within such a culture, resources are wasted, and personal interests frequently take precedence over the public good. Trump's approach, focused on cost reduction and efficiency, has led to measures such as cutting government expenditures and renegotiating contracts.

This aligns with recent statements by Elon Musk, who, as an advisor to President Trump, has proposed requiring government employees to submit a weekly report on their activities. According to Musk, this would be a simple yet effective way to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within government institutions. Employees who fail to provide insight into their tasks risk losing their jobs. He argues that writing such a report takes only a few minutes per week but provides significant benefits in terms of transparency and accountability.

Why Not?

After all, an employer should have insight into what an employee has done. This is why I am a strong proponent of procedural handbooks. Data is knowledge. When departments work with structured manuals, it brings numerous advantages. For instance, if an employee who normally keeps a department running falls ill or goes on vacation, someone else can easily take over the tasks, as everything is documented. Additionally, for employers, this provides clarity on which tasks are being performed and how much time they require. By linking this data to, for example, phone logs or email traffic, an objective picture of productivity within an organization can be formed.

The Impact on Dutch Politics

In the Netherlands, there is a growing call to end the culture of greed within both government and businesses. Political parties and social organizations advocate for transparency, accountability, and stricter controls to prevent corruption and waste. The question is whether a business-like approach, similar to that of Trump and Musk, would have the same effect in the Netherlands.

Pros and Cons of a Strict Approach

Breaking a culture of greed has both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, a strict approach can lead to cost savings and more efficient use of resources. On the other hand, there is a risk that essential social programs and support for vulnerable groups may be cut. Finding a balance between cost reduction and maintaining social support is crucial.

Conclusion

While Trump's business-like approach and Musk's proposal have sparked considerable controversy, they have also initiated a debate about addressing the culture of greed in politics and business. The Netherlands may continue looking to the U.S. for inspiration and could adopt some of these ideas. Whether this will actually lead to the end of a culture of greed remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the political landscapes of both America and the Netherlands are constantly evolving, and change is inevitable.