Where Boot sees a challenge is the independence of the Dutch economy. One solution would be to become independent from other countries in terms of energy production. ‘We have to become more independent from an energy point of view, but then the responsibility of all the actors in the economy is necessary. The companies, the building cooperatives and the residents themselves».
podcasts | Macro with Boot and Mujagić
The economist sees too much attention being paid to government. ‘Government puts itself first and therefore makes all other people step back. Then you are no longer using the power of society.’ While that, according to Boot, might be right. “The most important lesson from last year is: How do you get government and society to play the right role?”
Own responsibility
Boot lacks personal accountability and blames the government for it. “If the government is at the forefront and not focused on promoting personal accountability, then everyone will think the government will step in,” Boot explains. ‘I can imagine that in a pandemic, because you can’t prepare for it. But not with regard to the energy crisis».
However, Boot sees an edge in the current period. ‘Now we finally have the opportunity to invest in making the economy more sustainable. These energy prices will remain relatively high in the future. It’s impossible for energy prices to fall like this.’
On one condition, however, a decline in energy prices could be expected. “They will only decrease if we all make better use of energy and are willing to invest in alternative energy sources.” According to Boot, then we will no longer depend on “all sick states”. “We need this responsibility from everyone.”