Europe can breathe a sigh of relief. Belgium is not going to break up. A deal that ended nine months of squabbling between the country’s political parties means Belgians have a federal government at last.

The restoration of political unity should be applauded. But the lengthy impasse that followed last year’s elections hardly caused a national crisis. The firm hand of government was missed mostly by the feuding politicians. The deadlock barely affected voters.

For all its regional rivalries, Belgium went about daily life as normal. Its famed bureaucracy chugged along under its own power. Guy Verhofstadt, the long-serving and outgoing prime minister, proved just as capable as a temporary caretaker. Social security benefits were paid and the trains ran on time.

Politicians should take note. Belgium has opened the door to an enticing possibility. Non-government has attractions. Imagine living without fear of new taxes being levied or of a daily diet of attention-grabbing policies.

Dispense with central government and the impenetrable rhetoric that passes for modern political discourse would cease too. Since almost all conflicts are started by governments, there would be fewer wars. And with no reason to send plane-loads of ministers to G7, G8, and G20 meetings, as well as United Nations climate change conferences and European Union summits, the world would be a greener place too.

Eurozone countries have the advantage of not setting their own interest rates. Having outsourced monetary policy, central government must still balance the budget. Remove politicians and this would become a straightforward task of matching revenue and expenditure.

Rejoice that Belgium has found political leadership. Be assured too that break-up was never a threat. Even if the Flemings cannot stand Walloons and the Walloons despise Flemings, it is well known they are held together by an even bigger dislike of the French and Dutch. But consider, if only for a moment, the utopian future they have passed up.