Centralisation and decentralisation in Europe - The case of Belgium

Centralisa*on and decentralisa*on in

Europe

The Case of Belgium

Structure of the presenta*on

•  Belgium: a French illusion (5) •  Flanders: a European reality (5) •  2007 – today: Cons*tu*onal crisis (3) •  The virtues of decentralisa*on (6) •  Europe today (6) •  Conclusions and debate (1)

Belgium: a French illusion (1/5)

•  1804 – 1815: Napoleon*c Wars

•  1813: Defeat at Leipzig

•  1815: Congress of Vienna


•  Decision: United Kingdom of the Netherlands

•  Reason: Buffer State against French expansion

•  Condi*ons: Immediate retalia*on if invaded


•  Geostrategically: Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt

•  Antwerp: “Pistol aimed at the heart of England”

•  Low Lands: Richest countries, ever. (compara*vely)


•  Meanwhile, in France: 1.  First Empire 1804–1814 2.  Restora*on 1814–1830 3.  July Monarchy 1830–1848

•  Meanwhile, in Belgium: 1.  Opera: “The Dumb Girl of Por*ci” 2.  Staged revolu*on 3.  French army kicked out the Dutch


•  Result: 1.  Saxen-‐Coburg

Monarchy 2.  Intense

“Francophonisa*on” 3.  Virtual sadelite state of

France

Flanders: a European reality (1/5)

•  Reac*on: 1.  1830 – 1839:

Orangism: “We want William back”

2.  1839 -‐ 1870: Treaty of London: disorienta*on

3.  1870 – Today: The Flemish Movement


•  Demands: 1.  1870 – WW I:

Recogni*on of the Dutch Language

2.  WW I – WW II: Poli*cal independence within Belgian framework

3.  WII – now: Total secession from Belgium


•  Struggle: 1.  1873 -‐ 1898

Language Laws 2.  1898 -‐ 1921:

Disorienta*on (WWI) 3.  1921 – 1970:

Pre-‐federalisa*on


•  Administra*ve reform: 1.  1921:

Unilingual Wallonia 2.  1932:

Movable borders 3.  1962:

Fixed borders


•  Cons*tu*onal reform: 1) 1970: “Regions and Communi*es”

2) 1980: “Communi*es”

3) 1989: “Brussels Capital Region”

2007 – Today: Cons*tu*onal crisis

•  7th of November 2007: BHV-‐crisis

•  Flemings: 66 % pop, 0 % power

2007 – Today: Cons*tu*onal crisis

•  North: -‐ Biggest party = N-‐VA -‐ free market reforms -‐ conserva*ve

•  South: -‐ Biggest party = PS -‐ more central planning -‐ progressive

World Record “No Government”

•  Aier 535 days: 1.  Flemings (majority!)

give in 2.  Walloon “Par*

Socialiste” rules 3.  Result: more

-‐ “Belgium” -‐ Taxes -‐ Central planning

The virtues of decentralisa*on

Why the Low Lands became so rich

Mises’ Challenge

The informa*on required for central planning can only be generated in a free market. Mises (1920):"Die Wirtschaisrechnung im sozialis*schen Gemeinwesen" in the Archiv für Sozialwissenschaien, vol. 47, in: Hayek (1975 – transla*on)

The Low Countries: rich!

•  Extreme decentralisa*on

•  Compe**on amongst regions

•  Subjec*ve valua*ons possible

Symbol: Belfort

•  Ci*es bought “privileges” from the King

•  Capital building •  Rule of Law

France: poor as a rat

•  Extreme centralisa*on: “l’état Jacobin”

•  Compe**on impossible: central imposi*on of valua*ons

•  Consequence: predatory

Symbol: Palace

•  King centralised the economy (Mercan*llism)

•  Capital deple*on •  Rule of Men

Europe today

The role of culture in decentralisa*on

Na*onalism: a force for the good?

Na*onalism: a reac*on to socialism

“Aggressive na,onalism is the necessary deriva,ve of the policies of interven,onism and na,onal planning.” Mises, Human Ac*on p. 819

The EU is Belgium at large

Europe is the Low Lands at large

Low Lands Europe

The future?

•  Distribu*on?

Thank you

Any ques*ons?

Date post:	11-Jul-2015
Category:	News & Politics
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Centralisation and decentralisation in Europe - The case of Belgium

News & Politics