Aims

Part I
To study the basic structures of Belgian political society in religious, socio-economic and community terms.
Part II
This aims to analyse the political system, and the recent institutional reforms that the political system in Belgium has recently experienced (i.e. the shift towards a federal state).
There are also references to key national and regional features of the Belgian administration.

Content and teaching methods

Part I
Content
1. The three cleavages (religious, socio-economic and community). 2. The three "sociological worlds" and "consensualism". 3. Pressure groups. 4. Parties and party systems. 5. Elections: results and analysis of the electorates. 6. Parliament and government: a sociological approach.
Methodology
This is a lecture course based on a corpus of recommended reading.
Part II
Content
The following issues will be examined: growth in public services since 1830; legislative power, its organisation and operation; the royal function; the government and the Office of the Prime Minister; political decision-making at national level; and institutional reforms from 1970 to the present day.
Methodology
This lecture course will be complemented by compulsory reading. Particular aspects of the subject may be studied in the framework of the DEA's Seminar on political science and public affairs.

Other credits in programs