“Since the 1980s, the two regions have been given far-reaching powers of self-rule to end endless linguistic squabbles.
Politicians, especially in economically dominant, free trade-minded Flanders - home to 60 per cent of the 10.5 million Belgians - routinely demand more self-rule, notably in economic areas. They complain the long-dominant socialists in Wallonia are a hidebound lot who resist labour and other changes that are common elsewhere in Europe.”
I was in Belgium not last week. That’s a soft version of the truth - the reality is that the Flemish had been linguistically oppressed by the French speakers. Now the majority, the Flemish are demanding their place at the table.
Another thing: among the Flemish I spoke with, the Walloons are a cartoonish stereotype of loafing Gauls. Apparently the southern sector consumes more welfare dollars than it produces, pissing off the hard-working Flemish to no end.
For balance, consider the equation: northern Belgium, on the North Sea coast, is a merchant and pastoral area, and likes to flex its economic muscle after being put down by the Dutch until 1830. The southern part of the country, with its French influence, is more industrialized and thus suceptible to socialism and the union’s hand.
I thought France was beyond help, but they seem to have voted big for reform this week and last month. Looks like the Flemish aren’t going to hang around until their southern compatriots need the whip of reform.
“The vote capped a campaign that centred largely on personalities rather than issues.”
Why do I think we’ll see a report like this after the 2008 presidential election?
Just remember
DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH
and there are no good arguments for insisting upon ONE COMMON NATIONAL LANGUAGE
also learn to think like the Wall Street Journal that a nation is really just a territory in which economic activity tales place and Supply and Demand for Labor are essentially the only considerations in considering Immigration policy. Don’t let concepts like History, Culture, Custom, Language, Religion, Education etc concern you at all. Just let the labor market sort things out.
[need I say sarcasm?]