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Is there a Belgium? (1999)

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Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#21

Post by keyle »

I'm from Belgium and I left when I was 21, 15 years ago. As much as I love my country and will never deny the fact that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for it, its laws and its freedom; I too am puzzled by it. The whole thing always felt like "here is a piece of land, no one really wants it, let's just make a country, and then divide it in half " (in thirds really, as Brussels thinks it's above it).

I love Belgium for not being France, not Holland and not Germany, but its identity is in constant crisis. For too long it's been trashed by the other countries. Its biggest demise is trying to compete with them, to be like them. Half the country pretend it's dutch, while most dutch can't understand them well. The other half pretends its french, but only for the good parts, and has a funny accent. And a large town thinks it's German (Eupen). Then in the center, you got this weird beast that is Brussels, that would like to pretend that it's more European than Belgian. These are my feelings and each to their own. But one thing is for sure, Belgium is defined by its dysfunctional history.

This culture I grew up in is unique. It's a melting pot of social laws, acceptance and embracing cultures. Sadly, it's been abused and walked over from every corner. If anything good came out of it, it's probably Europe. But that's arguable, because the Euro screwed everyone up.

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#22

Post by leoc »

It has to be added that a significant amount of "pillarisation" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillarisation was the norm, not an exception, across western Europe in the nineteenth century. Usually it was either a Catholic and a Protestant pillar, or a Catholic and a liberal or socialist one, or some combination. A lot of it blew away around the 'Sixties, but significant amounts remain. It wasn't and isn't unheard of in the US either, viz. for example the HBCUs or the Evangelical parallel universe.

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#23

Post by vermooten »

keyle wrote: post #21

I'm from Belgium and I left when I was 21, 15 years ago. As much as I love my country and will never deny the fact that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for it, its laws and its freedom; I too am puzzled by it. The whole thing always felt like "here is a piece of land, no one really wants it, let's just make a country, and then divide it in half " (in thirds really, as Brussels thinks it's above it). I love Belgium fo…

I think a lot of countries have unusual beginnings, various smaller territories getting stuck together. Hello Italy.

Belgium is both the cycling and trance capital of the world, 2 things so close to my heart, and I love it.

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#25

Post by Someone »

JoeAltmaier wrote: post #8

Wow there's definitely material here for a board game - play the Socialists, the Catholics or the Liberals, vie for power, influence and wealth! Build your 'pillar' by coalescing local power into regional influence!

No, no! It is at least a six player game. You have Wallonian socialists and Flemish socialists, Wallonian Catholics and Flemish Catholics, etc.

And expert players can choose to play for a German-language version of one of those. Those parties can only achieve something by carefully maintaining the balance of power.

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#26

Post by amyjess »

JoeAltmaier wrote: post #8

Wow there's definitely material here for a board game - play the Socialists, the Catholics or the Liberals, vie for power, influence and wealth! Build your 'pillar' by coalescing local power into regional influence!

You would probably love Victoria 2. It's a computer game, not a board game, but a large part of the gameplay involves balancing various factions in your parliament and your population. You can easily pick a pet party and try to help them succeed.

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#27

Post by Rayearth »

JoeAltmaier wrote: post #8

Wow there's definitely material here for a board game - play the Socialists, the Catholics or the Liberals, vie for power, influence and wealth! Build your 'pillar' by coalescing local power into regional influence!

So basically a Belgian edition of "Die Macher" (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1/die-macher).

Though if one were in the mood for a more morbidly entertaining political game, a re-theme of Republic of Rome may be in order. It's also a game of up to six factions trying to be the most powerful at game end...but there's also a crisis every turn that if ignored can cause everyone to lose! You just need to replace "Hannibal at the gates" with some EU 2015 equivalent, and maybe have the "senator (+ legions) in my faction declares himself emperor" action be replaced with "Flemings/Walloons declare independence".

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#29

Post by waterlesscloud »

amyjess wrote: post #26
JoeAltmaier wrote: post #8

Wow there's definitely material here for a board game - play the Socialists, the Catholics or the Liberals, vie for power, influence and wealth! Build your 'pillar' by coalescing local power into regional influence!

You would probably love Victoria 2 . It's a computer game, not a board game, but a large part of the gameplay involves balancing various factions in your parliament and your population. You can easily pick a pet party and try to help them succeed.

Playing that game as the Ottoman Empire was hugely enlightening. Surrounded on all sides by potential enemies, a barely coherent population, not enough resources, and a million miles from industrialization. Whee!

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#30

Post by charlesdm »

NicoJuicy wrote: post #17
lobster_johnson wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a great idea. "Belgium: The Board Game". Just be careful with the "Scandals & Corruption" expansion pack, it's pretty NSFW.

That could be the European expansion pack with Karel De Gucht for example ( tax fraud + european commissioner for trade), don't forget electrawinds, tecteo, ...

Not to nitpick, but, innocent until proven guilty? To accuse someone of tax fraud is morally repugnant, when both the facts and courts say otherwise. This isn't really a scandal, more of a personal matter (for him).
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