The Causal Pattern of Collective Memory in a Community Conflict: “Constant Causes” in the Belgium Case

Abstract

Although it has been clearly established that collective memory is a potential source of ethnic conflicts, it remains to clearly formulate the causal pattern under which the past becomes an agent of action. Following Arthur Stinthcombe's differentiation between “historical causes” and “constant causes,” this article analyzes collective memory in the Belgian case as a “constant cause.” In Belgium, the community conflict surrounding the increasing autonomy of Flanders and Wallonia is characterized by discourses featuring various historical representations of linguistic grievances. Analysis suggests that these representations, estimated to be the mainspring of Flemish autonomist claims, are mobilized under a causal pattern of symbolic reactivation and cognitive continuance of past linguistic injustices.