Belgium, a small country in Western Europe, faced several problems throughout its history. One of the most significant problems that Belgium faced was the linguistic divide between the Flemish and Walloons.

Linguistic Divide

The linguistic divide in Belgium arose due to the fact that the country has two main language communities – Flemish and Walloon. The Flemish speak Dutch, while the Walloons speak French. This linguistic divide has caused several problems in the country, including political instability, economic disparities, and social tensions.

Political Instability

Belgium has a complex political system that is based on power-sharing between the two linguistic communities. This power-sharing arrangement has caused political instability in the country, as the two communities often have different political agendas and priorities. This has resulted in frequent government crises, with some lasting for several months.

Economic Disparities

The linguistic divide has also led to economic disparities in Belgium. The Flemish region is more prosperous than the Walloon region, with higher levels of employment and a stronger economy. This has resulted in tensions between the two regions, with the Walloons feeling left behind.

Social Tensions

The linguistic divide in Belgium has also caused social tensions. The two communities often live in separate areas, with little interaction between them. This has resulted in a lack of understanding and empathy between the two communities, which has fueled discrimination and prejudice.

Conclusion

The linguistic divide in Belgium has been a significant problem for the country, causing political instability, economic disparities, and social tensions. While efforts have been made to bridge the gap between the two communities, there is still a long way to go to achieve true unity and harmony in the country.

The main political problem in Belgium was the issue of power sharing between the Dutch speaking and French speaking people. In Belgium, 59% people speak Dutch and 40% people speak French. However, in the capital city of Brussels, 80% people speak French while 20% people speak Dutch. The minority French speaking population was rich and powerful which was resented by the Dutch speaking people.The latter got benefited by the economic policies quite late. This issue resulted in tensions between the Dutch and French speaking people in the 1950's and the 1960's.