Originally, Belgium was a unitary and centralized State. However, the events which took place along the XIX th century resulted in the decentralization and federalization of Belgium.
Brabant’s territory was divided through the St. Michael’s Agreement of 1992 into three regions: Flanders Brabant, Walloon Brabant and Brussels.
(D, 2016)
In 1993, the Belgian Constitution (1831) was modified in order to legalize the process of federalization of the State. This modification had as main objective to solve the different disputes among territories (Flanders and Walloon), in order to create a climate of peace and coexistence.
‘Article 1: Belgium is a federal State composed of Communities and Regions.’
‘Article 2: Belgium comprises three Communities: the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German-speaking Community.’
‘Article 3: Belgium comprises three Regions: the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region and the Brussels Region.’
These three articles established the federalization of Belgium and its division into linguistic communities and regions.
Federalization has had a very important counter-effect. While thought to improve the tense social climate, and generate a more peaceful environment within the territory, it has managed to divide Belgian society even more.
This is because the decentralization of Belgium has implied the delegation of several competences to the linguistic communities. Nowadays, the coordination of policies is very complex, since most of the decisions are taken at the Regional level, and not at the Statal one. This political organization has divided the State into two completely different social structures.
It is a clear demonstration that actions taken long ago still affect countries to this day; a decision that was oriented towards reconstruction has had the opposite result from the expected one.
IMAGES
- D, J. (27 de October de 2016). Why is Belgium a country? Retrieved from Lexiophiles: https://www.lexiophiles.com/english/why-is-belgium-a-country
- Belgian Senate. (1831). DE BELGISCHE GRONDWET. Obtenido de Belgian Senate: https://www.senate.be/doc/const_nl.html
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- State, P. F. (2015). Historical Dictionary of Brussels. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield.
WEBGRAPHY:
- D, J. (27 de October de 2016). Why is Belgium a country? Obtenido de Lexiophiles: https://www.lexiophiles.com/english/why-is-belgium-a-country
The economic and political history of Belgium 
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