The Political Institutions of Belgium

Teacher(s)

Lefebve Vincent (compensates Vanderborght Yannick); Sägesser Caroline (compensates Vanderborght Yannick); Vanderborght Yannick;

Language

French

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Through the analytical lens of political science, this course aims to focus on the institutional architecture of the Belgian political system. At the end of the academic year, students should be able to demonstrate a good factual understanding of Belgium's many political institutions and their respective roles, at federal, regional, community and local level. They should be able to make a clear distinction between the formal roles of institutions (i.e. as established in constitutional and other legal norms) and their informal aspects (i.e. the concrete working of cabinets, the role played by political parties, etc.). Students will also study some of the key episodes of Belgium's political history, and be asked to connect the course material with current political affairs.

Content

The course aims to describe, explain, and analyse the concrete functioning of political institutions in contemporary Belgium. To do so, it draws not only on political science but also on other disciplines: history, which is essential, as the current organization of federal Belgium cannot be understood without reference to it; law, which dictates the composition, role, and functioning of institutions; and finally, sociology, which illustrates how institutions and society are interdependent.
A brief introduction will be devoted to a theoretical reflection on the general principles of democracy. We will then look at key moments in Belgium's political history, such as the stages of the expansion of voting rights and eligibility, the impact of divisions and the pillarization of society, community disputes, and the transformation of the structures of the unitary state into a complex and atypical federal state. The course will focus mainly on describing and analysing the functioning of the main federal, regional, and community political institutions, with an emphasis on the specific characteristics of the Brussels institutions. Specific lessons will be devoted to judicial power, neutrality and secularism, social movements, and new forms of democracy.
Examples drawn from current events will be used in class.

Teaching methods

The lecture is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation, and the slides are made available. Examples drawn from current events are regularly discussed. Students can participate and ask questions during the class. A syllabus summarizing the various points covered in the course is provided at the beginning of the semester.
Required reading (one or more articles, or a short book) may be assigned and form part of the exam material.
In addition, a conference bringing together political actors or observers of political life will be organized, which students are required to attend.

Evaluation methods

The exam will take the form of a written examination (closed book). It includes questions on specific items, cross-thematic questions, as well as questions on the required readings (if any) and the conference held during the term (if any).

Faculty or entity

> ESPB