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
Belgium: a French illusion (2/5)
• Decision: United Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Reason: Buffer State against French expansion
• Condi*ons: Immediate retalia*on if invaded
Belgium: a French illusion (3/5)
• Geostrategically: Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt
• Antwerp: “Pistol aimed at the heart of England”
• Low Lands: Richest countries, ever. (compara*vely)
Belgium: a French illusion (4/5)
• 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
Belgium: a French illusion (5/5)
• 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
Flanders: a European reality (2/5)
• 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
Flanders: a European reality (3/5)
• Struggle: 1. 1873 -‐ 1898
Language Laws 2. 1898 -‐ 1921:
Disorienta*on (WWI) 3. 1921 – 1970:
Pre-‐federalisa*on
Flanders: a European reality (4/5)
• Administra*ve reform: 1. 1921:
Unilingual Wallonia 2. 1932:
Movable borders 3. 1962:
Fixed borders
Flanders: a European reality (5/5)
• 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?