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SchiffinoJacob_VOIP_2015_Belgium_Powerandcleavages.pdf
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- In our modern states, constitutions underlie the political power and its institutional settings. Two different texts lay the foundation of the constitutional history of Belgium: the constitution of 1831 and that of 1993. Each arose during a period of historical change. In 1831, in the shadow of the decolonization from the Netherlands, the constitution created a unitary state. In 1993, in a context of Europeanization of politics, the constitution declared a federal state. Over the years, the Belgian polity has undergone dramatic changes. What is puzzling about Belgium is that the constitution-making process has consistently remained in a state of uncertainty. According to Brennan and Buchanan (1985) uncertainty makes agreement more probable; this helps in a divided society such a Belgium.
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Schiffino-Leclercq, N., & Jacob, S. (2015). Uncertainty and Cleavages at stake: Do the Belgian Constitutions of 1831 and 1993 stabilize Political Power? In Louis M. Imbeau et Steve Jacob (ed.), Behind a Veil of Ignorance? Power and Uncertainty in Constitutional Design (p. p. 121-133). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14953-0