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
became Belgian history Belgian revolution bilingual Britain British Brussels region Catholics and Liberals century Christian-Democratic civilised coalition conflict Congo consensus constitution country’s course culture defined dialects difficult discourse Dutch language Dutch-speaking Dutroux economic elite Europe European Union fact federal field fighting figure find firmly first Flanders Flemings Flemish Movement France Francophone French speakers French-speaking Geert van Istendael German Germany’s groups guage Guy Verhofstadt historians historiography important independence industrial influence issues John Horne King Albert King Leopold King’s Kingdom language shift Leuven linguistic Little Belgium Martine Van Berlo ment minister Moroccan Netherlands North office official language organised parliament parties pillars political politicians population problem provinces reflect revolution rhetoric Royal Question schools significant social Socialist Sophie de Schaepdrijver speak Dutch specific suffrage territory tion Tony Judt tradition Trinity College Dublin unity Vlaams Belang vote Wallonia Walloon Warsage World young