"The surrealism of its linguistic, economic and social problems will soon become very real”- Marc de Vos, from Wall Street Journal.
Situated on the borderline between the Latin and German cultures in Europe, Belgium was formed almost by accident in the 19th century. It was founded as a strategic state between France and Great Britain. Artificial in its origin, Belgium's profound cultural differences—symbolized by different languages and an international capital whose identity is to have no identity—have been compounded by its own history. The newly born Kingdom of Belgium imposed French as the official language despite it has a Flemish majority. This historic discrimination originated the fundaments of the Flemish autonomy movement. This movement was the first who fought for equal rights and since 1970 has fueled the gradual evolution from a unitary kingdom to a federal country, with ever more regional autonomy.
Belgium has acquired a linguistic border, formally separating the Dutch-speaking north (Flanders) from the French-speaking south (Wallonia). Brussels is an officially bilingual enclave in Flanders, surrounded by a string of Flemish communities with special rights for French-speaking inhabitants. In reality, however, Brussels is cosmopolitan, with French as the dominant language and Dutch marginalized, while its surrounding Flemish communities have become increasingly francophone through internal Belgian migration. The reverse never happens. In an apparent testament of cultural inferiority, Flemings who move south learn or speak French, to become francophone after a couple of generations.
Is Belgium an artificial state?
Federalism is a system in which the power to govern is shared between national and central (state) governments.
Federalism in Belgium is an evolving system. Although officially there are four language areas, for all practical purposes only two languages are relevant on the federal level, Dutch and French.
Belgian political landscape, generally speaking, consists of only two components: the Dutch-speaking population represented by Dutch-language political parties, and the majority populations of Wallonia and Brussels, represented by their French-speaking parties. The Brussels region emerges as a third component. This specific dual form of federalism, with the special position of Brussels, consequentially has a number of political issues -even minor ones- that are being fought out over the Dutch/French-language political division. With such issues, a final decision is only possible in the form of a compromise. This tendency gives this dual federalism model a number of traits that generally are ascribed to confederalism, and makes the future of Belgian federalism contentious.
The chairman of the Walloon Parliament stated on July 17, 2008 that, "Brussels would take an attitude". Brussels' parliament passed the resolution on July 18, 2008: “The Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region approves with great majority a resolution claiming the presence of Brussels itself at the negotiations of the reformation of the Belgian State”.
This aspect of Belgian federalism helps to explain the difficulties of partition; Brussels, with its importance, is linked both to Wallonia and Flanders and vice-versa. This situation, however, does not erase the traits of a confederation in the Belgian system.
One typical example of the problems this system make is the conflict in BHV. For a number of decades, the small electoral entity has caused political unrest and trouble. Known in Belgium as "BHV," the acronym for Brussels and the two Flemish cities Halle and Vilvoorde, it represents the only election constituency that ignores Belgium's linguistic border. French-speaking inhabitants of both Flemish cities can vote for Walloon political parties that can normally only present themselves in Wallonia or in Brussels.
The Flemish want to split up "BHV," period. In their eyes, it is a constitutional absurdity and a tool for francophone expansionism into Flanders. For the Walloons, it is the guarantor of the civil rights of a linguistic minority in Flanders. The issue is therefore as fundamental as it is personal. It is not just about two different cultural communities having difficulties living together; it is about a profound difference in understanding of what it means to respect the other culture. For the Flemish, people living in Flanders should respect the fact that Dutch is their official language. For the Walloons, the language choices of individuals are sacrosanct, irrespective of their place of residence.
After all, I should say that despite Belgium seems to be a federal system, in fact it has a intergovermental system, witch means that there is a cooperation between the regions and its governments and they have the right to veto.
Economical and social situation
Belgian economy
The recesion rate was in 2009 of 3% but in 2010 the recession is already finished. ¿Yuhuuu? No.
- Belgian economy continues destroying employ
- Prices grow faster than expected (the prices of food rise twice faster in Belgium than in Netherlands or Germany. The main reason is because Belgian consumer choose more expensive products so this raises the average proze for a representative shopping basket).
- Public deficit will be deeper that goverment´s previsions
The rate of unemployment will continue rising in 2010, according to the Institute of Economical and Social Research of Louvain La Neuve (L´Irres). In the news a few weeks ago, the latest figures show a sharp upturn in the number of job offers across Flanders, compared with one year ago. It doesn’t mean the recession is over, experts warn, but it doesn´t look like good news for job seekers. Nevertheless, the rate of employment is 61% (in the “eurozone” is 65%), and the previsions say that in 2011 it will be even lower.
A national survey reports that many Belgians are affraid of losing their job. This might bring emotional instability and anxiety for them. A new report by the National Bank, shows that US companies are pulling out of Belgium at an alarming rate. For a small country like Belgium, foreign investment is vital to the economy, so the news that US inward investment fell by more than €4 billion in 2009 is cause for concern.
Social consequences
Belgians are more pro-Europe than pro-Belgium. Fellowcitizens are not patriotic or nationalist at all. Overall, 81,5% of people in Flanders no longer trust politicians. Despite that, integration of the foreigners is not the best one: they have the highest rate of unemployment and education. Belgium is one of the most racist countries of Europe, specially with the big Turquish community.
Belgians have so much taxes that make then feel stolen by the state. All this taxes are necessary to hold up the almost federal system and all the waste it produces.
12% of Belgian population is not happy: 40.000 people think about suicide as a posible solution to end up with their desespoir. Belgium is the fith country in Europe with more suicides: 21.1 per 100,000 people. That´s far bellow Lithuania, wich leads the world on 38,6. Behind are Slovenia, Hungary and Latvia. A national survey reports that many Belgians are affraid of losing their job. This might bring emotional instability and anxiety.
Conclusion
In conclusión, tt is not very solid the social welfare state of Belgium. Some rates are rather worring. The economical structure is going worst because of the ageing of the population, adquisitive power has diminish, the welfare is not general, the racism is too high, and specially the political system make citizens suspicious of their own country.
Experts say that it is necessary to make structural reforms in order to make that this “machine” continue working. But in this almost federal system, reforms are not the only necessary thing, its also compulsory that the goverment adjust the mechanism taking measures. It´s time to change.
Belgium has acquired a linguistic border, formally separating the Dutch-speaking north (Flanders) from the French-speaking south (Wallonia). Brussels is an officially bilingual enclave in Flanders, surrounded by a string of Flemish communities with special rights for French-speaking inhabitants. In reality, however, Brussels is cosmopolitan, with French as the dominant language and Dutch marginalized, while its surrounding Flemish communities have become increasingly francophone through internal Belgian migration. The reverse never happens. In an apparent testament of cultural inferiority, Flemings who move south learn or speak French, to become francophone after a couple of generations.
Is Belgium an artificial state?
Federalism is a system in which the power to govern is shared between national and central (state) governments.
Federalism in Belgium is an evolving system. Although officially there are four language areas, for all practical purposes only two languages are relevant on the federal level, Dutch and French.
Belgian political landscape, generally speaking, consists of only two components: the Dutch-speaking population represented by Dutch-language political parties, and the majority populations of Wallonia and Brussels, represented by their French-speaking parties. The Brussels region emerges as a third component. This specific dual form of federalism, with the special position of Brussels, consequentially has a number of political issues -even minor ones- that are being fought out over the Dutch/French-language political division. With such issues, a final decision is only possible in the form of a compromise. This tendency gives this dual federalism model a number of traits that generally are ascribed to confederalism, and makes the future of Belgian federalism contentious.
The chairman of the Walloon Parliament stated on July 17, 2008 that, "Brussels would take an attitude". Brussels' parliament passed the resolution on July 18, 2008: “The Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region approves with great majority a resolution claiming the presence of Brussels itself at the negotiations of the reformation of the Belgian State”.
This aspect of Belgian federalism helps to explain the difficulties of partition; Brussels, with its importance, is linked both to Wallonia and Flanders and vice-versa. This situation, however, does not erase the traits of a confederation in the Belgian system.
One typical example of the problems this system make is the conflict in BHV. For a number of decades, the small electoral entity has caused political unrest and trouble. Known in Belgium as "BHV," the acronym for Brussels and the two Flemish cities Halle and Vilvoorde, it represents the only election constituency that ignores Belgium's linguistic border. French-speaking inhabitants of both Flemish cities can vote for Walloon political parties that can normally only present themselves in Wallonia or in Brussels.
The Flemish want to split up "BHV," period. In their eyes, it is a constitutional absurdity and a tool for francophone expansionism into Flanders. For the Walloons, it is the guarantor of the civil rights of a linguistic minority in Flanders. The issue is therefore as fundamental as it is personal. It is not just about two different cultural communities having difficulties living together; it is about a profound difference in understanding of what it means to respect the other culture. For the Flemish, people living in Flanders should respect the fact that Dutch is their official language. For the Walloons, the language choices of individuals are sacrosanct, irrespective of their place of residence.
After all, I should say that despite Belgium seems to be a federal system, in fact it has a intergovermental system, witch means that there is a cooperation between the regions and its governments and they have the right to veto.
Economical and social situation
Belgian economy
The recesion rate was in 2009 of 3% but in 2010 the recession is already finished. ¿Yuhuuu? No.
- Belgian economy continues destroying employ
- Prices grow faster than expected (the prices of food rise twice faster in Belgium than in Netherlands or Germany. The main reason is because Belgian consumer choose more expensive products so this raises the average proze for a representative shopping basket).
- Public deficit will be deeper that goverment´s previsions
The rate of unemployment will continue rising in 2010, according to the Institute of Economical and Social Research of Louvain La Neuve (L´Irres). In the news a few weeks ago, the latest figures show a sharp upturn in the number of job offers across Flanders, compared with one year ago. It doesn’t mean the recession is over, experts warn, but it doesn´t look like good news for job seekers. Nevertheless, the rate of employment is 61% (in the “eurozone” is 65%), and the previsions say that in 2011 it will be even lower.
A national survey reports that many Belgians are affraid of losing their job. This might bring emotional instability and anxiety for them. A new report by the National Bank, shows that US companies are pulling out of Belgium at an alarming rate. For a small country like Belgium, foreign investment is vital to the economy, so the news that US inward investment fell by more than €4 billion in 2009 is cause for concern.
Social consequences
Belgians are more pro-Europe than pro-Belgium. Fellowcitizens are not patriotic or nationalist at all. Overall, 81,5% of people in Flanders no longer trust politicians. Despite that, integration of the foreigners is not the best one: they have the highest rate of unemployment and education. Belgium is one of the most racist countries of Europe, specially with the big Turquish community.
Belgians have so much taxes that make then feel stolen by the state. All this taxes are necessary to hold up the almost federal system and all the waste it produces.
12% of Belgian population is not happy: 40.000 people think about suicide as a posible solution to end up with their desespoir. Belgium is the fith country in Europe with more suicides: 21.1 per 100,000 people. That´s far bellow Lithuania, wich leads the world on 38,6. Behind are Slovenia, Hungary and Latvia. A national survey reports that many Belgians are affraid of losing their job. This might bring emotional instability and anxiety.
Conclusion
In conclusión, tt is not very solid the social welfare state of Belgium. Some rates are rather worring. The economical structure is going worst because of the ageing of the population, adquisitive power has diminish, the welfare is not general, the racism is too high, and specially the political system make citizens suspicious of their own country.
Experts say that it is necessary to make structural reforms in order to make that this “machine” continue working. But in this almost federal system, reforms are not the only necessary thing, its also compulsory that the goverment adjust the mechanism taking measures. It´s time to change.
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