Thursday, September 18, 2014

10 Ways Scottish Independence Could Transform Europe

10 Ways Scottish Independence Could Transform Europe - Listverse
Geographically and linguistically, Belgium is one of the most schizophrenic countries on Earth. 
Half the population speaks Dutch, nearly half speaks French, and a tiny minority speaks German. 
For decades, the Dutch-speaking Flanders region has been itching to break away from its dominant counterpart. A Scottish “Yes” vote could be the trigger to Flemish secession.
Since the nightmare of the Balkan Wars, Europe has been very wary of allowing countries to break up.
A peaceful “divorce” between Scotland and the rest of the UK (rUK) would create a road map for other regions looking to go solo.
At the very least, it would spur calls for greater devolution in Belgium, effectively splitting the country into two highly autonomous but connected states.
Flanders independence movement is so excited by the prospect that they’ve even sent delegates to Scotland to watch the proceedings.
They’re not the only ones to cotton on.
Brussels is so terrified of the prospect of Flemish nationalism that they’ve threatened to block an independent Scotland’s entry into the EU.

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