Why A Country Like Belgium Shouldn’t Exist

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Source – QUORA

 

Belgium is often considered an artificial state, with borders that seem to defy logic. Unlike most countries, there isn’t a distinct ethnic group known as “Belgians” that lays claim to a shared national identity. The formation of Belgium, following the revolution of 1830, created a country whose boundaries were drawn in what many view as one of the worst possible places.

Had the boundaries been drawn further north or further south, the region could have been split in ways that made more sense. For example, to the north lies the historical boundary between Catholic areas (in green) and Protestant areas (in red) in the Netherlands. If religion had been the deciding factor, drawing a line there would have created a more coherent division.

Another option could have been based on language. The linguistic divide between Dutch speakers (in gold) and French speakers (in brown) cuts across present-day Belgium, with the northern region of Flanders speaking Dutch and the southern region, Wallonia, speaking French. If linguistic boundaries had been respected, Flanders could have remained part of the Netherlands, while Wallonia could have formed its own state.

A third alternative might have been to create three separate states: Dutch-speaking Protestants, Dutch-speaking Catholics, and French-speaking Catholics. While this would have still left some minorities on the “wrong” side of the borders, it would have been far less arbitrary than the current Belgian borders.

The way Belgium was divided has led to numerous complications. The line cuts through towns and even private properties, leading one to wonder whether those in charge of drawing the boundaries were thinking clearly at all. This situation mirrors the frustrations seen in Africa, where colonists arbitrarily drew lines across tribal, linguistic, and religious communities, disregarding natural divisions.

While Switzerland is sometimes cited as another example of an artificial state, the Swiss have managed to make it work through a robust political system. Belgium, on the other hand, has struggled to maintain its unity, relying on complex constitutional measures and political compromises to keep the country intact.

After nearly sixty years of watching Belgium’s struggles, one might argue that it’s time for the country to be divided along more natural lines. If Flanders and Wallonia became independent and joined the European Union, daily life for most Belgians wouldn’t be significantly disrupted. It might even be a step towards a more logical and harmonious future for the region.

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