Belgium is a multiethnic state with two main ethnic groups, Fleming and Walloon, that have been conflict for about 200 years. Many factors have caused the conflicts in Belgium including prehistoric migrations, Roman Imperial foreign policy, revolutions in the 16th century and 19th century, and two World Wars. Although, core issues include economic, political,and linguistic issues. The linguistic conflict started in about the 1840s.Western Europe’s Germanic/Romance linguistic line runs east/west across Belgium. The southern half of the country speaks French (romance language that came from Latin), while the northern half of the country speaks Flemish (a germanic language known as Dutch). The Walloons make up one-third of the population of Belgium.
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Unlike Belgium, the people of Switzerland accepted the fact that there are many ethnic groups and languages spoken in their country, and they promoted official multilingualism. It was decided that a common language was not necessary. Switzerland also created a direct democracy and a homogenous nation state that favors political power sharing between all ethnic groups in the country. Switzerland has a will to create one national community even though there are differing cultural traditions and origins. It has shown as understanding for the multiple ethnic groups living their country, and as embraces a combination of fortuitous social structures, favorable attitudes, long historical traditions, and linguistically sensitive political institutions. Also, major difference between Switzerland and Belgium is that even though there are multiple identities living in Switzerland, the ethnic groups are not in competition with each other. Each Swiss citizen feels an attachment and loyalty to the local community and canton. The equal status of the languages has prevented the rise of language-related conflicts unlike Belgium. In Belgium, the elite tried to choose one language as the official language, while the Swiss elite paid close attention to the linguistic situation in the country, and chose three of the four existing languages as official languages. The elite did not want to create a conflict but instead construct a nation that unites the different language communities. Switzerland accounts their linguistic diversity as a factor of unification of the country. Another major difference between Switzerland and Belgium is the time period of their ethnic groups. Belgium has had a linguistic divide since the 11th century, this long existing linguistic border is why the crisis in Belgium is so deeply-rooted and hard to find a solution for. While in Switzerland, had not been separated for so long, the language diversity started after the
Unlike Belgium, the people of Switzerland accepted the fact that there are many ethnic groups and languages spoken in their country, and they promoted official multilingualism. It was decided that a common language was not necessary. Switzerland also created a direct democracy and a homogenous nation state that favors political power sharing between all ethnic groups in the country. Switzerland has a will to create one national community even though there are differing cultural traditions and origins. It has shown as understanding for the multiple ethnic groups living their country, and as embraces a combination of fortuitous social structures, favorable attitudes, long historical traditions, and linguistically sensitive political institutions. Also, major difference between Switzerland and Belgium is that even though there are multiple identities living in Switzerland, the ethnic groups are not in competition with each other. Each Swiss citizen feels an attachment and loyalty to the local community and canton. The equal status of the languages has prevented the rise of language-related conflicts unlike Belgium. In Belgium, the elite tried to choose one language as the official language, while the Swiss elite paid close attention to the linguistic situation in the country, and chose three of the four existing languages as official languages. The elite did not want to create a conflict but instead construct a nation that unites the different language communities. Switzerland accounts their linguistic diversity as a factor of unification of the country. Another major difference between Switzerland and Belgium is the time period of their ethnic groups. Belgium has had a linguistic divide since the 11th century, this long existing linguistic border is why the crisis in Belgium is so deeply-rooted and hard to find a solution for. While in Switzerland, had not been separated for so long, the language diversity started after the