MCQs

1. What was the main cause of ethnic tensions in Belgium?

a) Religious differences

b) Economic disparity between linguistic communities

c) Political rivalry between parties

d) Influence of foreign countries

2. Which linguistic community in Belgium was in the majority?

a) French-speaking

b) German-speaking

c) Dutch-speaking

d) English-speaking

3. How did Belgium resolve its ethnic conflict?

a) By giving complete power to the Dutch-speaking majority

b) By creating separate countries for different linguistic groups

c) By adopting a system of power-sharing and federalism

d) By banning political parties based on language

4. What is a unique feature of Belgium’s power-sharing model?

a) It allows the majority group to rule independently

b) It has a community government system

c) The central government retains all powers

d) Only Dutch-speaking people can vote

5. Which city in Belgium had a unique demographic situation with a French-speaking majority despite the countrywide Dutch-speaking majority?

a) Antwerp

b) Brussels

c) Liege

d) Ghent

Answers and Explanations

1. (b) Economic disparity between linguistic communities.

• The French-speaking community was historically wealthier, leading to tensions with the Dutch-speaking majority .

2. (c) Dutch-speaking.

• Dutch speakers form about 59% of Belgium’s population .

3. (c) By adopting a system of power-sharing and federalism.

• Belgium introduced a federal system where power was distributed among communities and regional governments .

4. (b) It has a community government system.

• Belgium introduced a unique “community government” that gives each linguistic group control over cultural and language-related issues .

5. (b) Brussels.

• Brussels has a majority of French speakers despite being located in a Dutch-majority country .

Forms of Power-Sharing