Decentralised Unitary State

Belgium was created as a nation state with decentralised administrative units (Provinces and local authorities known as Communes). The Belgian constitution was one of the most modern and liberal in Europe. It guaranteed fundamental human rights (freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of conscience and religion, universal access to education, freedom of language...).

Yet the official state language was French. In other words, French was used in all administrative contexts, as well as schools and courts. The industrial economy driving the nation was for the most part situated in French-speaking Wallonia. Thus political hegemony lay in the hands of Francophones, although the Dutch-speaking Flemings were in a demographic majority.