Power sharing (Belgium)

• Belgium is located in Europe
• Capital of Belgium is Brussels
• Belgium shares borders with France, Germany, and the Netherlands
• Population of Belgium is 11 million people
• Belgium is diverse in terms of religion, culture, and language
• Belgium is divided into two parts: Flemish and Wallonia region
• About 59% of people live in the Flemish region and speak Dutch
• About 40% of people live in the Wallonia region and speak French
• Brussels, the capital of Belgium, comprises 80% French speakers and 20% Dutch speakers
• 1% of the people in Belgium speak German
• Tension between communities in Brussels arose due to diverse languages
• French community was rich and powerful due to special treatment by the government
• Dutch speakers felt alienated despite being in the minority
• Constitution in Belgium was changed 4 times between 1970 to 1993 to accommodate diversity
• Innovative arrangement called the Belgium model was created
• Features of the Belgium model:

  • Equal representation for different communities in the central government
  • No single community can make decisions alone
  • Powers given to state government without being subordinate to the central government
  • Separate government in Brussels with equal community representation
  • Community government for cultural, educational, and language issues
• Benefits of the Belgium model:

  • Arrangement for all communities
  • Avoids conflicts between communities
  • No division of the country based on language
  • Brussels chosen as the headquarters of the European Union due to its successful management of diverse ethnic populations
• Brussels chosen as the European Union headquarters due to:

  • Role model for managing diverse populations without conflicts
  • Central location in urban Europe with good connections to major cities
  • Socially diverse population and cosmopolitan party