Uncertainty and Cleavages at Stakes: Do the Belgian Constitutions of 1831 and 1993 Stabilize Political Power?

Nathalie Schiffino () and Steve Jacob ()
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Nathalie Schiffino: Université Catholique de Louvain
Steve Jacob: Université Laval

Chapter Chapter 7 in Behind a Veil of Ignorance?, 2015, pp 121-133 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract In our modern States, Constitutions underlie political power and its institutional settings. Two different texts lay the foundation of the Constitutional history of Belgium: the Constitution of 1831 and that of 1993. Each arose during a period of historical change. In 1831, in the shadow of decolonization from the Netherlands, the Constitution created a unitary State. In 1993, in a context of the Europeanization of politics, the Constitution declared a federal State. Over the years, the Belgian polity has undergone dramatic changes. What is puzzling about Belgium is that the constitution-making process has consistently remained in a State of uncertainty. In spite of path dependency and lesson-drawing, constitutional lawmakers, it seems, have not been able to avoid drafting decisions under a veil of ignorance.

Keywords: European Union; Power Relation; Political Elite; International Constraint; Legislative Branch (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:stpchp:978-3-319-14953-0_7

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-14953-0_7

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