The Politics of Belgium

The third edition of this highly respected book covers the numerous political developments that have taken place in Belgium since 2012. This book features topics such as the implementation of the sixth state reform, the rebranding of political parties with new party leaders, several elections at all levels of government (from local to European) leading to new governing coalitions, democratic innovations in several parliaments, and, of course, the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and the challenges of climate changes on all political and social institutions. Key features:Gives an even-handed and analytically sophisticated account of contemporary Belgium politics. Explains the background to the territorial divide between a Dutch-speaking north and a French-speaking south that has shaped the political system and led to polarized communities and the need for institutional responses to internal conflict. Provides a thorough example of a consociational democracy, and shows how this form of democratic government, along with Belgium’s particular federal system, has provided a basis – most of the time – to govern a deeply divided country. Provides a comprehensive picture of Belgian politics, which helps answer the question of whether Belgium – and indeed other divided societies – can be governed in a legitimate democratic manner. This book is essential reading to students and scholars of Belgian politics and society, democracy and democratic innovations, political systems, and more broadly to European and comparative politics.