Ethnic Conflict In Belgium

Introduction When considering Ethnic conflict, it is usually accompanied by the idea of human rights violations, violence, and political instability. Throughout history, one can see multiple examples of this, some prominent even in the present day. In the world today, conflict between ethnic groups has proliferated, within nations, rather than between states. Belgium is a nation with a rich and interesting history, full of culture, and its own internal ethnic tensions; although it does not display the various factors usually associated with ethnic conflict. For over half a century, the ethnic conflict and tensions through Belgium have continued to rise, and it is astounding to see how the nation has endured all of this without …show more content…
(Varin) At first, Belgium was accused of being a product of international diplomacy rather than a naturally developing nation. Citizens and outsiders alike called it an ‘artificial creation. There was a lack of common language and independence; two important factors when considering nationalism. Nationalism in Belgium began around the late 19th century. At the time, people wanted to subdue the ethnic and linguistic divide that seemed to plague the Belgian nation; they wanted to create a national culture. This was not immediately successful. Belgium was said to have parties and provinces, but nothing that could be considered a nation. The constant alterations in the definition of nationalism in over the course of a century, were further factors that prevented the integration and acceptance of Belgium within the nation. One of the most popular definitions at the time, was by a historian of the Belgian Revolution; Henri Pirenne, who stated that the Belgian Identity was “not defined on racial, ethnic or linguistic lines, but in the civilizational community of the Belgian people”. …show more content…
Since the Independence, the socio-economic imbalances have fueled resentment between the two regions.
Elaborating the Problem There are some people who support the possible partition of Belgium and argue that the synchronized attempts to forge a national identity and culture have been unable to forestall ethno-linguistic rivalries (Gutenberg). This divide could grant Wallonia and Flanders with either independence or integration into France and the Netherlands respectively. It is a controversial topic when it comes to Brussels in the possible separation of Belgium. Although there have been cultural and linguistic tensions throughout the history of Belgium, politicians have been remarkably adept at exceptionally proficient at developing compromise mechanisms in order to maintain a slight balance between the Flemish and Wallonians, whose separate communities can be seen to have different economic profiles, tastes, influences and