How Can One Not be Interested in Belgian History: War, Language and Consensus in Belgium Since 1830Belgium rarely attracts outside attention. Yet the country is more than fine chocolates, delicious beers or Tintin. This volume celebrates Belgium as a federal, post-nationalist country, which combines cultural pragmatism with a rather solid social consensus. It presents a critical vision of the origins of Belgian independence and of that complex notion named belgitude . It illustrates how the deep-seated tradition of local autonomy and suspicion towards state authority go hand in hand with a strong sense of individual tolerance and solidarity, with a rejection of violent confrontation and a continuous search for consensus. In this volume, prominent commentators on things Belgian combine critical and irreverent observations with a strong attachment to the existence of the country and its role on the international stage. They emphasize the potential of linguistic diversity and cultural plurality. They also point out the ambivalent relation between history, national myths, and the lasagne identity of most Belgians. Belgium may be a model or a warning. Its history addresses questions of identity and security, of a sense of cohesion and common purpose or the lack thereof. Belgium does matter. This volume tells you why." |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Contents
Martine Van Berlo Moray McGowan Tim Jackson | 11 |
Martine Van Berlo | 33 |
Sophie de Schaepdrijver | 55 |
Geert van Istendael | 83 |
Benno Barnard | 101 |
| 139 | |
Common terms and phrases
authority became become Belgian Belgium bilingual British Brussels called Catholic century changed consensus considered constitution course critical culture developed Dutch economic elite English especially established Europe European existence fact first Flanders Flemish forced foreign France French French-speaking Geert van Istendael German groups hand historians important independence industrial interests issues Italy kind King language largely later least Leopold less Liberals linguistic lived London longer majority matter means Mechelen minister Movement Netherlands never North official once organised parties perhaps political politicians population problem protest provinces published Question reference region remained respect result rhetoric Royal rule schools separate social Socialist society speak speakers territory things tion tradition tried turned Union University vote Wallonia Walloon wanted World young
Bibliographic information
| Title | How Can One Not be Interested in Belgian History: War, Language and Consensus in Belgium Since 1830 |
| Author | Benno Barnard |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Academia Press, 2005 |
| ISBN | 9038208162, 9789038208169 |
| Length | 151 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |