SURREAL FEDERALISM? THE BELGIAN ATTEMPT TO PRESERVE UNITY THROUGH CONTRADICTION

Belgium constitutes a paradigmatic example of “centrifugal” federalism. Born as a unitary state, it adopted the federal formula after a constitutional odyssey towards territorial decentralization , in the hope of solving the tensions between its two main linguistic communities: the Francophone and the Flemish. This paper analyses this decentralization process and the federal settlement that it produced. It points out that the Belgian system is to a much larger extent than that of any other deeply divided state, the result of political tensions and contradictory projects. Its two founding peoplesagreed on a constitutional compromise on the basis of paritywhich structurally excludes the possibility to protect linguistic minorities.