How Can One Not Be Interested in Belgian History: War, Language and Consensus in Belgium Since 1830 - Couverture souple

 
9789038208169: How Can One Not Be Interested in Belgian History: War, Language and Consensus in Belgium Since 1830
Couverture souple
ISBN 10 : 9038208162 ISBN 13 : 9789038208169
Editeur : Academia Press, 2005

Synopsis

Belgium rarely attracts outside attention. Yet the country is more than fine chocolates, delicious beers or Tintin. This volume celebrates Belgium as a federal, post-nationalist country, which combines cultural pragmatism with a rather solid social consensus. It presents a critical vision of the origins of Belgian independence and of that complex notion named 'belgitude'. It illustrates how the deep-seated tradition of local autonomy and suspicion towards state authority go hand in hand with a strong sense of individual tolerance and solidarity, with a rejection of violent confrontation and a continuous search for consensus. In this volume, prominent commentators on things Belgian combine critical and irreverent observations with a strong attachment to the existence of the country and its role on the international stage. They emphasize the potential of linguistic diversity and cultural plurality. They also point out the ambivalent relation between history, national myths, and the 'lasagne' identity of most Belgians. Belgium may be a model or a warning. Its history addresses questions of identity and security, of a sense of cohesion and common purpose - or the
lack thereof. Belgium does matter. This volume tells you why.

Les informations fournies dans la section « Synopsis » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Présentation de l'éditeur

Belgium rarely attracts outside attention. Yet the country is more than fine chocolates, delicious beers or Tintin. This volume celebrates Belgium as a federal, post-nationalist country, which combines cultural pragmatism with a rather solid social consensus. It presents a critical vision of the origins of Belgian independence and of that complex notion named 'belgitude'. It illustrates how the deep-seated tradition of local autonomy and suspicion towards state authority go hand in hand with a strong sense of individual tolerance and solidarity, with a rejection of violent confrontation and a continuous search for consensus. In this volume, prominent commentators on things Belgian combine critical and irreverent observations with a strong attachment to the existence of the country and its role on the international stage. They emphasize the potential of linguistic diversity and cultural plurality. They also point out the ambivalent relation between history, national myths, and the 'lasagne' identity of most Belgians. Belgium may be a model or a warning. Its history addresses questions of identity and security, of a sense of cohesion and common purpose - or the lack thereof. Belgium does matter. This volume tells you why.

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
Academia Press
Date d'édition
2005
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
9038208162
ISBN 13 
9789038208169
Reliure
Broché
Numéro d'édition
6
Nombre de pages
152
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
non disponible