Belgium’s political institutions are complex, but the majority of political power is organised with the two main communities: the Flemings, and their political parties; and the Walloons, and their parties.

Since the country’s federalisation there have been many governmental entities. Apart from the Federal Government there is a subdivision according to language into Communities, with the French(-speaking) Community, the Dutch(-speaking) Community and the German-speaking Community, and another subdivision into Regions: the Walloon Region, the Flemish Region and the Brussels-Capital Region. The Flemish Community and the Flemish Region have been joined together to form one government, see Flanders.

Behind these complex institutions, the two dominant components of the Belgian state are the Flemings and their political institutions under the Flemish government; and the French-speakers, grouped under the French(-speaking) Community and its more fragmented institutions. Nearly all political parties in Belgium belong to one of these two communities. The exceptions are a German-speaking party and some smaller parties in Brussels. However, these only attract votes from one of the two communities in Brussels. Thus, there are no national parties active over all the Belgian territory. In short, the Belgian political landscape carefully mirrors the dual nature of Belgian society.

Thus:
Federal government: Jurisdiction over Foreign affairs, development aid, defence/Military, police, economy, social welfare, security (including pensions, health care, social aid and employment controls), transport (including railways and air transport), energy, telecommunications, scientific research (partially), limited competencies in education and culture, as well as strict control over taxation by regional authorities; the federal government controls more than 90 percent of all taxation.
Community governments: Language, culture and education. (e.g. Schools, Libraries, Theatre, etc.)
Regional governments: Land and property based issues within their area (regional economy, zoning, housing, transportation, etc.), international trade.

For example, a school building in Brussels belonging to the public school system would be regulated by the regional government of Brussels. But the school as an institution would fall under the regulations of either the Flemish government, if the primary language of teaching is Dutch, or the French Community government, if the primary language is French. It is a complex, somewhat unstable and expensive, but peaceful compromise that allows distinctly different cultures to live together.