The Politics of Belgium

In recent years Belgium's complicated federal system has been threatened by resurgent competition for power between the Flemish and Walloon communities. Calls for a breakup of the state along linguistic lines have been defeated, but separatist - although usually non-violent - sentiment remains strong in some areas. This balanced study considers the effects of the country's internal divisiveness and presents a definitive introduction to Belgium's history, social and economic development, political system, and foreign policy - especially with regard to the EU.