Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

“What Use Is It in the Long Run to Resist Something That Is Bound to Happen Anyway?” The Statistical Mind Settling in Nineteenth-Century Politics

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Science, Numbers and Politics

  • 308 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter demonstrates the tough but inevitable emergence of “working numbers” in politics in an expanding and modernizing society. It discusses the settlement of official statistics in the Netherlands after 1850. The more democratic political system created a demand for information to get insight in the intervention of government in society, which was increasingly carried out by an expanding civil service. The involved politicians and officials had been introduced into statistical thinking at the university. The developments were accompanied by a new way of thinking, which meant a passion for a systematic collection and processing of observations of external reality. The new approach distanced itself consciously—and not without struggle—from styles of thought that based themselves on the unique case and the deductive method.

In this paper I rely on the project of the Dutch Statistical Mind 1750–1940 which resulted in 3 volumes: Klep and Stamhuis (2002), Van Maarseveen et al. (2008), and Stamhuis et al. (2008). I especially use Stamhuis (2002a); the “Introduction”, 11–41, in Van Maarseveen et al. (2008); and Stamhuis (2008).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Handelingen der Staten-Generaal 1890/1891, 23e Vergadering van de Tweede Kamer, December 18, 1890.

  2. 2.

    Klep and Stamhuis (2002).

  3. 3.

    Klep and Stamhuis (2002, 15) and Klep (2008b), Afterthoughts 2.

  4. 4.

    Stamhuis (1989, 156).

  5. 5.

    See Kluit (1800–1805a, LTK 944-I) and Van Rees (1855, 247). According to Van Rees (1855, 247), the Dutch Society of Sciences offered a gold medal during her meeting of 8 June 1802 for the best answer to this question.

  6. 6.

    Vissering (1849, 247–248).

  7. 7.

    Koninklijk Besluit (Royal Decree), August 2, 1815. Published in the “Staatscourant” (an official publication by the Dutch state) nrs. 242 and 243, art. 63.

  8. 8.

    Koninklijk Besluit (Royal Decree), August 2, 1815. Published in the “Staatscourant” nrs. 242 and 243, art. 87.

  9. 9.

    Lazarsfeld (1961, 106).

  10. 10.

    Kluit (1800–1805b, BPL 1844-I, 57). On political arithmetic, see Lazarsfeld (1961).

  11. 11.

    Kluit (1800–1805b, BPL 1844-I, 59).

  12. 12.

    Kluit (1800–1805b, BPL 1844-I, 59–60).

  13. 13.

    Kluit (1800–1805b, BPL 1844-I, 73–74).

  14. 14.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878) and (1881). That the collection of statistical information will especially have been necessary for the monitoring and control of government policy in accordance with what came out of the study of information processes during the “Batavian Statistical Revolution”: Klep and Verheusen (2002).

  15. 15.

    See Van Maarseveen (2008b).

  16. 16.

    Kerdijk (1878, 368–370) and Rijkscommissie voor de Statistiek (1861, 3).

  17. 17.

    Randeraad (2002, 108–110) and Stamhuis (1989, 78–79).

  18. 18.

    During the Batavian Republic efforts were made to bring information from the municipal level to the centre. The resulting so-called information processes within the national bureaucratic machinery in the period 1798–1802 were so important that this phenomenon has been characterised as the “Batavian Statistical Revolution” (Klep and Verheusen 2002).

  19. 19.

    Klep and Verheusen (2002) and Jeurgens and Klep (1995).

  20. 20.

    Randeraad (2002, 105–108) and Stamhuis (2002b, Sources of Information, 202–203).

  21. 21.

    National Archives (NA) KB (Royal Decree) July 3, 1826; one of the included pieces being a letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs to the Secretary of State, March 20, 1823: “kan ik niet dan herhalen dat de Hoogleeraar Tydeman van mij alle faciliteit heeft gekregen om met die stukken welke ik voor een niet ongepaste mededeeling vatbaar hield, bekend te worden, terwijl ik vermeen dat eene onbepaalde autorisatie voor alleszins bedenkelijk mag gehouden worden”.

  22. 22.

    I do not discuss the foundation of the Statistical Bureau and Committee of 1826 and their barely noticed demise after the establishment of an independent Kingdom of Belgium in 1830/1831. See Stamhuis (1989, 78–80), Klep and Verheusen (2002), and Randeraad (2002, 108–113).

  23. 23.

    Provinciaal Utrechtsch Genootschap (1846, 117–118, quotation on 118).

  24. 24.

    Provinciaal Utrechtsch Genootschap (1847, 124–126).

  25. 25.

    Provinciaal Utrechtsch Genootschap (1848, 66–71); Landhuishoudkundig Congres (1847, 8–25); Landhuishoudkundig Congres (1849, 25–31); Handelingen der Algemeene Vergadering van de Maatschappij ter Bevordering van Nijverheid, the 71st (1848, 188–189 and 198), the 72nd (1849, 267), and the 73rd (1850, 353–354).

  26. 26.

    Handelingen der Algemeene Vergadering van de Maatschappij ter Bevordering van Nijverheid, the 72th (1849, 267 note 4).

  27. 27.

    Provinciaal Utrechtsch Genootschap (1849, 125–131) and Sloet tot Oldhuis (1851, 443–457).

  28. 28.

    The archives of the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) contain the reactions of the people who had been asked for their opinions. Ackersdijck seems to have been especially influential; see Stamhuis (1989, 206, footnotes 12 and 13).

  29. 29.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878, 30).

  30. 30.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878, 23–26).

  31. 31.

    Van Maarseveen (2008b), Co-operative but Ambivalent; Randeraad (2006, 197–224).

  32. 32.

    Handelingen der Staten-Generaal (1857/1858), Bijlagen, 111; National Archives (NA), Kabinet des Konings (the King’s Cabinet) (KK), Koninklijk Besluit (Royal Decree) (KB) May 10, 1858 nr. 47, NA KK KB January 24, 1859 nr. 63, Bijlage.

  33. 33.

    National Archives, Kabinet der Konings (the King’s Kabinet), Koninklijk Besluit (Royal Decree) November 5, 1858 Staatsblad nr. 75, including Bijlage.

  34. 34.

    National Archives (NA), Kabinet der Konings (the King’s Cabinet) (KK), Koninklijk Besluit (Royal Decree) (KB) January 24, 1859 nr. 63 Staatsblad nr. 75; NA KK KB November 5, 1858 Art. 6 Staatsblad nr. 75. Source: Rijkscommissie voor de Statistiek, Verslag over 1859 and 1860, 14–16.

  35. 35.

    Memorie van Toelichting op wetsontwerp nr. 170 art. 53 bis, in Bijlagen 2 van de Handelingen der Staten-Generaal (1891/1892). See also Rijkscommissie voor de Statistiek (1861).

  36. 36.

    Methorst (1902, 17–20).

  37. 37.

    National Archives (NA), Kabinet der Konings (the King’s Cabinet) (KK), Koninklijk Besluit (Royal Decree), December 29, 1861.

  38. 38.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878, 28–29).

  39. 39.

    Methorst (1902, 6–7 and 23–24).

  40. 40.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878); National Archives (NA), Kabinet der Konings (the King’s Cabinet) (KK), Koninklijk Besluit (Royal Decree) April 28, 1878, Staatscourant nr. 15. Kerdijk (1878, 382).

  41. 41.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878, 30).

  42. 42.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878) and (1881).

  43. 43.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878, 10–16) and (1881, 111–113).

  44. 44.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878, 15–19).

  45. 45.

    De Bosch Kemper (1881, 114–115).

  46. 46.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878, 17–18).

  47. 47.

    De Bosch Kemper (1878, 16–18).

  48. 48.

    Methorst (1902, 31–32).

  49. 49.

    Handelingen der Staten-Generaal (1880/1881), 41e Vergadering van de Tweede Kamer, December 11, 1880.

  50. 50.

    Staatkundig en Staathuishoudkundig Jaarboekje (1882, XXXVII–XLVIII).

  51. 51.

    Vereeniging voor de Statistiek, Verslag van de vergadering der leden (1884); Methorst (1902, 85).

  52. 52.

    Handelingen der Staten-Generaal (1888/1889), 32e Vergadering van de Tweede Kamer, December 13, 1888.

  53. 53.

    Handelingen der Staten-Generaal (1889/1890), 27e Vergadering van de Tweede Kamer, December 13, 1889; “Memorie van Antwoord”.

  54. 54.

    Handelingen der Staten-Generaal (1890/1891), 23e Vergadering van de Tweede Kamer, December 18, 1890.

  55. 55.

    Bijdragen van het Statistisch Instituut (1890, 101–106). “Nota van Toelichting”. “Adres verzonden aan Z.M. den Koning in zake de oprichting van een Rijks Centraal-Bureau voor Statistiek”.

  56. 56.

    Handelingen der Staten-Generaal 1891/1892, 71e Vergadering van de Tweede Kamer, July 26, 1892.

  57. 57.

    Van Maarseveen (2008a), For Practice and Science.

  58. 58.

    Van Maarseveen (2008a), For Practice and Science.

  59. 59.

    Klep (2008a), Governmentality.

  60. 60.

    Quoted in Van Maarseveen et al. (2008, 9).

Bibliography

  • Bijdragen van het Statistisch Instituut 1–9 (1884–1892).

    Google Scholar 

  • De Bosch Kemper, Gerrit. 1878. “De Officiële Statistiek in Nederland.” De Gids 4, 6–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Bosch Kemper, Gerrit. 1881. “Begin of Einde?” Vragen des Tijds, 104–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frijhoff, Willem Th. M. 2004. Comment on The Statistical Mind in a Pre-statistical Era. The Netherlands 1750–1850, edited by Paul M. M Klep and Ida H. Stamhuis. Centaurus 46, 322–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Handelingen der Algemeene Vergadering van de Maatschappij ter Bevordering van Nijverheid the 71st (1848), 188–189 and 198; the 72nd (1849), 267; the 73rd (1850), 353–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Handelingen van de Eerste en de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal (1814–). See https://www.statengeneraaldigitaal.nl/.

  • Jeurgens, Charles, and Paul M. M. Klep. 1995. Informatieprocessen van de Bataafs-Franse Overheid 1795–1813. Den Haag: Instituut voor Nederlandse Geschiedenis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerdijk, Anton. 1878. “De Regeeringsstatistiek in Nederland.” Vragen des Tijds, 368–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klep, Paul M. M. 2008a. “Governmentality, Statistics and State Power. Dutch Labour and Agricultural Inquiries (1840–1914).” In The Statistical Mind in Modern Society. The Netherlands 1850–1940. Volume I: Official Statistics, Social Progress and Modern Enterprise, edited by Jacques G. S. J. Van Maarseveen, Paul M. M. Klep, and Ida H. Stamhuis, 261–288. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klep, Paul M. M. 2008b. “Afterthoughts 2. ‘May the Devil and Statistics Get Them!’ Controversy and Criticism About Statistics in the Netherlands (1850–1940).” In The Statistical Mind in Modern Society. The Netherlands 1850–1940. Volume II: Statistics and Scientific Work, edited by Ida H. Stamhuis, Paul M. M. Klep, and Jacques G. S. J. Van Maarseveen, 323–340. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klep, Paul M. M., and Ida H. Stamhuis, eds. 2002. The Statistical Mind in a Pre-statistical Era: The Netherlands 1750–1850. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klep, Paul M. M., and Astrid Verheusen. 2002. “The Batavian Statistical Revolution in the Netherlands 1798–1802. Frequency, Formats, Administrative Success, and Political Background.” In The Statistical Mind in a Pre-statistical Era: The Netherlands 1750–1850, edited by Paul M. M. Klep and Ida H. Stamhuis, 217–240. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kluit, Adriaan. 1800–1805a. Bouwstoffen voor een Nederduitsch Collegie over Staathuishoud-kun-de (Manuscript). Leiden: University Library. LTK 944-I.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kluit, Adriaan. 1800–1805b. Statistiek van Nederland (Manuscript). Leiden: University Library. BPL 1844-I.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kossmann, Ernst H. 1978. The Low Countries: 1780–1940. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landhuishoudkundig Congres. 1849 [1847]. Verslag van het verhandelde op het tweede Landhuishoudkundig Congres vergaderd in Arnhem in 1847; in Utrecht in 1849.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarsfeld, Paul F. 1961. “Notes on the History of Quantification in Sociology—Trends, Sources and Problems.” Isis 52: 277–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Methorst, Henri W. 1974 [1902]. Geschiedenis van de Statistiek in het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden. Bijdragen tot de Statistiek van Nederland. Nieuwe Volgreeks, vol. XIV. Den Haag: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek.

    Google Scholar 

  • Provinciaal Utrechtsch Genootschap. (1846–1849). Aantekeningen van het Verhandelde in de Sectie der Regtsgeleerdheid en Staatswetenschappen van het Provinciaal Utrechtsch Genootschap. Utrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Randeraad, Nico. 2002. “The Dutch Paths to Statistics 1815–1830.” In The Statistical Mind in a Pre-statistical Era: The Netherlands 1750–1850, edited by Paul M. M. Klep and Ida H. Stamhuis, 99–124. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Randeraad, Nico. 2006. Het onberekenbare Europa. Macht en Getal in de Negentiende Eeuw. Amsterdam: Wereldbibliotheek.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rijkscommissie voor de Statistiek. 1861. Verslag van de Werkzaamheden der Rijkscommissie voor Statistiek over 1859 en 1860. Den Haag: Martinus Nijhoff.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sloet tot Oldhuis, Bartholomeus W. A. E. 1851. “Beoefening der Statistiek van ons Vaderland.” Tijdschrift voor Staathuishoudkunde en Statistiek 6, 443–460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staatkundig en Staathuishoudkundig Jaarboekje 1848–1884.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stamhuis, Ida H. (1989).‘Cijfers en Aequaties’ en ‘Kennis der Staatskrachten’, Statistiek in Nederland in de Negentiende Eeuw. Amsterdam and Atlanta, GA: Rodopi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stamhuis, Ida H. 2002a. “The Differentiation of Statistics and Political Economy: The Teaching of Kluit and Vissering.” In The Statistical Mind in a Pre-statistical Era: The Netherlands 1750–1850, edited by Paul M. M. Klep and Ida H. Stamhuis, 171–191. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stamhuis, Ida H. 2002b. “Sources of Information of Dutch University Statisticians After 1800.” In The Statistical Mind in a Pre-statistical Era: The Netherlands 1750–1850, edited by Paul M. M. Klep and Ida H. Stamhuis, 193–216. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stamhuis, Ida H. 2008. “The Long Road to an Enduring National Organisation of Statistics.” In The Statistical Mind in Modern Society. The Netherlands 1850–1940. Volume I: Official Statistics, Social Progress and Modern Enterprise, edited by Jacques G. S. J. Van Maarseveen, Paul M. M. Klep, and Ida H. Stamhuis, 47–74. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stamhuis, Ida H., Paul M. M. Klep, and Jacques G. S. J. Van Maarseveen, ed. 2008. The Statistical Mind in Modern Society. The Netherlands 1850–1940. Volume II: Statistics and Scientific Work. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Maarseveen, Jacques G. S. J. 2008a. “For Practice and Science. The Institutionalisation and Expansion of Dutch Official Statistics (1892–1940).” In The Statistical Mind in Modern Society. The Netherlands 1850–1940. Volume I: Official Statistics, Social Progress and Modern Enterprise, edited by Jacques G. S. J. Van Maarseveen, Paul M. M. Klep, and Ida H. Stamhuis, 75–105. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Maarseveen, Jacques G. S. J. 2008b. “Co-operative but Ambivalent: Dutch International Statistical Relations (1850–1940).” In The Statistical Mind in Modern Society. The Netherlands 1850-1940. Volume I: Official Statistics, Social Progress and Modern Enterprise, edited by Jacques G. S. J. Van Maarseveen, Paul M. M. Klep, and Ida H. Stamhuis, 131–155. Amsterdam: Aksant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Maarseveen, Jacques G. S. J., Paul M. M. Klep, and Ida H. Stamhuis, ed. 2008. The Statistical Mind in Modern Society. The Netherlands 1850–1940. Volume I: Official Statistics, Social Progress and Modern Enterprise. Amsterdam: Aksant. Introduction, 11–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Rees. Otto. 1855. “Het College van Adriaan Kluit over de Statistiek van Neder-land.” Tijdschrift voor Staathuishoudkunde en Statistiek 12, 245–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vissering, Simon. 1849. “De Statistiek in Nederland”. De Gids, Second Series 2, 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Ida H. Stamhuis

Authors
  1. Ida H. Stamhuis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ida H. Stamhuis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Heidelberg, Germany

    Markus J. Prutsch

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Stamhuis, I.H. (2019). “What Use Is It in the Long Run to Resist Something That Is Bound to Happen Anyway?” The Statistical Mind Settling in Nineteenth-Century Politics. In: Prutsch, M. (eds) Science, Numbers and Politics. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11208-0_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation