Netherlands

How do you build a liberal paradise?  

What kinds of commitments must a society decide on in order to ensure a "live and let live" attitude to flourish? And does it necessarily follow that everyone in society believes in the same laisseiz-faire attitude?

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Of course not. The Netherlands is a diverse society, but one thing that seems to unite the country is their appreciation of a personal freedom that is seldom found outside of its borders. With its landscape literally plucked from the sea, the communal spirit required for this hard work has been passed down generation to generation, ensuring that these values remain in the present. Yet, the Netherlands is not a utopia - there are the occasional cracks on the façade. However, after spending two weeks exploring the country, most of it on a solo journey, there are not many other places where I would have felt safer wandering on my own.

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For art lovers, the museums around the country are arguably amongst some of the world's best. From impressionism, to contemporary art, to the Dutch masters, ancient artifacts, and everything in between, make sure you allot a lot of time to explore it all. For me, two weeks was not nearly enough time to see it all, though I did get pretty close. 

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So what are you waiting for? Get out there and smell the freedom!

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