The Political and Administrative System in Belgium

Teacher(s)

Bottin Jehan (compensates Reuchamps Min); de Visscher Christian; Reuchamps Min; Rihoux Benoît;

Language

French

Main themes

During the course, students will: - Study the basic structures of Belgian political society (divisions, pillars, consociationalism, etc.) and analyse the political balance of power, including at election time; - Take a closer look at the electoral and Party systems, the parties as such, Parliament, the government and the political elites; - Study the structures and operation of the public sector.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	By the end of this course, students should have acquired a good knowledge of the socio-political and administrative workings of the Belgian political system and acquired a capacity to analyse the events which govern the country's political landscape. This will be the particular focus of the Current Affairs Seminar.

Content

Part 1: B. Rihoux (10.)
1. Belgium's national foundations 2. Belgium's socio-political foundations 3. Divisions and Parties 4. The balance of power between the political actors
Part 2: J. Bottin (10.)
1. Electoral system and Party system during the post-war period 2. The Belgian political Parties: ideology, organisation and operation 3. Structure and operation of Parliament 4. Formation, structures and decision-making mechanisms of the federal governments 5. Partocracy, clientelism, corruption and political revivals
Part 3: C. de Visscher (10.)
1. Analysis of the public sector in Belgium: forms of administrations and public services: methods of organisation, manpower, relations with the political power 2. Resource management within the public administration (budget; public service) 3. The politico-administrative system in action: study of the public policy cycle, from introduction to implementation (using concrete examples)

Other information

Course entry requirements: Students must have taken the Public Law course. Foreign students taking this course during an exchange programme will need to plan for an alternative way of covering this material. Evaluation: written examination Course materials: Students will receive a reading portfolio

Faculty or entity

ESPO