Regional identity and economic development in ‘recovering’ regions: Exploring the Walloon case

ABSTRACT

This article explores the interplay between regional identity and economic development in Wallonia. Relying on a critical reading of economic policy texts and political discourse relating to both the domestic and foreign policy spheres, the study examines the manner in which Walloon political actors discursively construct the relation between economic development and regional identity. The findings point to a perceived mutually reinforcing role between economic development and identity, offering a more nuanced approach to current studies exploring this relationship. Facilitated by the analytical division between domestic and foreign policy spheres, the study also highlights an important link between two facets of ‘regional identity’: the regional consciousness of inhabitants and the image of the region itself.

KEYWORDS:

• Regional identity/image
• regional economic development
• region branding
• Wallonia
• paradiplomacy

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the Editor and anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions on earlier versions of this article. I am indebted to Prof. Sharon Pardo for his valuable guidance and remarks on this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 While closely connected, the concepts of ‘identity of the region’ and ‘regional image’ are not synonymous. As noted by Zimmerbauer (2011) ‘they can be distinguished by seeing the identity as more permanent and genuine whereas an image can be seen as more communication- based, marketing-creating entity of regional pictures and representations’ (p.246). Recognizant of this distinction, the analysis focuses primarily on the ‘communication-based’ image purported by regional actors.

2 For a list of coding categories and themes see Appendix 1.

3 For a list of documents and interviews see Annex 1. Excerpts presented in the article are translated from French to English by the author.

4 European Commission, ‘Regional Innovation Monitor Plus: Wallonia, https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/regional-innovation-monitor/base-profile/wallonia (accessed November 1 2018).

5 Walloon identity was in many ways synonymous with Belgium identity at the time. To this day, Walloon identity incorporates a strong sense of attachment to Belgium, contrary to its Flemish counterpart. That said, while not conflictual to a wider Belgian national identity, the Walloon movement has developed a sense of territorial affiliation and consciousness of its own. This study focuses on this element of Walloon identity.

6 These include: 2005 Marshall Plan; 2009 Marshall Plan 2.Green; 2013 Marshall Plan 2022; 2015 Marshal Plan 4.0. As the latest plan comes to an end (2019), its future is currently the subject of debate- as the Minister of Economy has recently referred to it as ‘in extinction’. https://www.rtbf.be/info/belgique/detail_le-plan-marshall-une-operation-marketing-est-en-voie-d-extinction?id=9748843.

7 Government of Wallonia, Feel Inspired Brand, http://www.wallonia.be/en/foundations-of-brand (accessed October 24, 2018).

8 Government of Wallonia, Foundations of the Brand, http://www.wallonia.be/en/foundations-of-brand, (accessed October 29, 2018).

9 European Commission, Regional Innovation Monitor, ‘Creative Wallonia’ https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/regional-innovation-monitor/policy-document/creative-wallonia.