Cultural preconceived notions in Belgium

“Solidarity makes a culture great” over 200 well-known Belgians recently said in the press. In doing so they subscribed to a manifesto which perfectly illustrates the dominant preconceived notions about Flemish nationalism. The N-VA’s reaction was to issue a rejoinder.

The type of Flemish nationalism which came about due to past discrimination against Flemings because they did not speak French is a thing of the past. Most Flemish people no longer suffer from any kind of blocked mobility, i.e. the idea that someone has limited social mobility because of who he or she is. For this reason, Flemish nationalism as embodied by the N-VA does not primarily focus on the social rights of Flemings but rather it wishes to first and foremost defend their democratic rights, which are currently stifled by an opaque political system. Belgium is no longer a working but rather a dysfunctional state which is no longer characterised by blocked mobility but by blocked democracy instead.

According to the cultural manifesto, the Belgian status quo is the last line of defence against Flemish and European reformist zeal which is little more than a “disguised, antisocial urge to cut spending”. The N-VA is aware that cost reductions have to be made due to the current economic situation, but it also knows that such cuts are in fact necessary to help protect our Social security Social security is currently managed at the Federal level in Belgium. The most important pillars of Belgian social security are: sickness and invalidity insurance (NIDHI), pensions, unemployment insurance and child allowances. In addition, occupational illness, occupational accidents and annual holidays are dealt with at this level. Some Flemish parties have been campaigning for years for (large parts of) social security to be transferred to the Regions and Communities. social security system! It is clear that without fundamental changes our social security system will simply cease to exist in 20 years’ time. As a Flemish nationalist party, the N-VA bears a degree of social responsibility towards its own community as well as towards other communities, and if the goal is to avoid situations such as in Greece we must dare to implement reforms before it is too late.

Moreover, the N-VA does not wish to impose a cultural identity on people. Every cultural identity is a social construct subject to change and so it does not make any sense to compile lists of conditions which must be fulfilled for someone to (be allowed to) qualify as a Fleming. Any identity which tries to wall itself in is doomed and an open vision of what makes a community is the best foundation for a democratic, solidary and inclusive society.
It is the N-VA’s goal to base our community on an identity which offers others, including people from other cultures, an opportunity to become a member of this community. Our party is aware that there are other forms of nationalism which have other values, but these do not apply to Flemish nationalism.