Bye Bye Belgium?

Belgium juggles cultural and linguistic differences – French, Dutch and German – through norms of cooperation and a complex system of federalism. Until recently, the country has stood as proof that polarized groups can live together in peace. The failure of Belgium’s politicians to form a national government for nearly six months – and counting – has many questioning whether the country can remain unified for another generation. Suggestions include neighboring nations like France annexing sections of Belgium or an amicable split into two nations. The possible failure of an historic union in the unofficial capital of Europe raises doubts about whether the international norm of sovereignty can survive, and which other ethnically heterogeneous country will next decide that its peoples can no longer peacefully coexist. – YaleGlobal