The constitution of Belgium : a contextual analysis / Patricia Popelier and Koen Lemmens.

Author
Popelier, P. [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
  • Oxford ; Portland, Oregon : Hart Publishing, 2015.
  • ©2015
Description
xxv, 280 pages : maps ; 22 cm.

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Firestone Library - Stacks KJK2070 .P67 2015 Browse related items Request

    Details

    Subject(s)
    Author
    Series
    Constitutional systems of the world [More in this series]
    Summary note
    "The Belgian Constitution, once described as a model of consensus democracy, has now become an enigma in comparative federalism. On the one hand, it demonstrates features which suggest institutional instability as well as elements that enhance the probability of secession. On the other hand, Belgium continues to exist as a federal system, based upon linguistic bipolarity. This linguistic bipolarity dominates Belgian politics and has shaped the design of Belgium's institutions as well as the Constitution's fundamental organising principles: concepts of federalism, democracy, separation of powers, constitutionalism and the rule of law. In this book, the institutional structure and the principles of governing the Belgian constitutional system are explained in the light of its historical, demographic and political context. Linguistic bipolarity and its historical evolution explain the establishment of the Belgian State structure as a dual federalism, with exclusive powers, instruments for consensus making and obstruction, and elements of confederal decision making. It also explains the evolution in the concept of principles of democracy and the rule of law. Besides describing the devolutionary process, the book also incorporates two other elements that have shaped the Belgian constitutional landscape: fundamental rights and Europeanisation"--Unedited summary from book cover.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references and index.
    Contents
    • Preface: a constitution in search of a nation
    • Constitutional principles: a historical and sociological account
    • The fundamental principles of the Belgian constitution
    • Federalism and the multilevel structure of government
    • The legislative branch
    • The executive power and administration
    • The pluralistic judicial system and the constitutional court
    • Fundamental rights
    • Conclusion: no future for Belgium or a Belgian blueprint for the future?
    ISBN
    • 1849464154 ((pbk.))
    • 9781849464154 ((pbk.))
    LCCN
    2016295137
    OCLC
    923732135
    Other standard number
    • 40025502679
    Statement on language in description
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