The politics of Belgium

"This is a totally rewritten and updated version of an earlier work by the same author. Since its publication in 1981, The Politics of Belgium has become something of a standard work on the Belgian political system in English, but it could not take account of later developments on the road towards federalism. Its new title seeks to emphasise that Belgium has become a fully and overtly federal state - something that the earlier book could only see on the horizon - and that Belgian federalism is unique and interesting. Indeed, it has attracted much envious interest in Central and Eastern Europe, where problems of peaceful transition are now posed." "The book, after opening with a substantial survey of the history of Belgium up to the present, goes on to detail the structures of the new federal Belgium and explain how the various complex mechanisms operate and interact. It shows how what often seems to outsiders over-complex and unnecessary is part of a delicate balance that is the essence of the Belgian method and is precisely what makes the system work. Belgium has a method of government by permanent negotiation, compromise and institutional complexity which is unique. While regarding the outcome of that method as essentially positive, in that it has permitted peaceful and effective change when needed, the author does not neglect to analyse its problems, criticisms and limitations."--BOOK JACKET.