Eight Ideas as close as possible to power: Belgian political parties and their study centres
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Valérie Pattyn
Abstract
Belgium, like Italy, is often considered a text book example of partitocracy. The dominance of political parties involves many functions and dysfunctions in a polity that is highly fragmented along linguistic and ideological lines. Political parties not only assert their institutional position as gate keepers to what demands and interests are aggregated for legislative and executive politics. They also play a dominant role in the policy-making process, by framing problems, ideologically promoting solutions, and negotiating compromises in the cumbersome formation and continuation of coalition government. Like other actors who play a role in the policy-making process, political party organisations too are faced with the increasing complexity of problems, and with the demand to back up their proposals with expert-based argumentation. In Belgium, each party organisation comprises a study service. Although their origin and history has been documented in general party organisation studies, this chapter is the first contribution to understanding the way these intra-party study units are organized and how they generate policy relevant advice. Findings concern all major political parties, across the language border.
Abstract
Belgium, like Italy, is often considered a text book example of partitocracy. The dominance of political parties involves many functions and dysfunctions in a polity that is highly fragmented along linguistic and ideological lines. Political parties not only assert their institutional position as gate keepers to what demands and interests are aggregated for legislative and executive politics. They also play a dominant role in the policy-making process, by framing problems, ideologically promoting solutions, and negotiating compromises in the cumbersome formation and continuation of coalition government. Like other actors who play a role in the policy-making process, political party organisations too are faced with the increasing complexity of problems, and with the demand to back up their proposals with expert-based argumentation. In Belgium, each party organisation comprises a study service. Although their origin and history has been documented in general party organisation studies, this chapter is the first contribution to understanding the way these intra-party study units are organized and how they generate policy relevant advice. Findings concern all major political parties, across the language border.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Notes on contributors xiii
- Acknowledgements xx
- Editors’ introduction to the series xxi
- Introduction: policy analysis in Belgium – tradition, comparative features and trends 1
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Policy styles and methods in Belgium
- The policy-analytical profession in Belgium 13
- Analytical techniques in Belgian policy analysis 35
- Political control and bureaucratic expertise: policy analysis by ministerial cabinet members 57
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Policy analysis in the government and legislature
- Policy analysis in the central and regional governments 81
- Local planning in Belgium: A myriad of policy styles? 107
- Policy analysis in the Belgian legislatures: the marginal role of a structurally weak parliament in a partitocracy with no scientific and political tradition of policy analysis 129
- Policy advisory bodies in Belgium 151
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Policy analysis by political parties and interest groups
- Ideas as close as possible to power: Belgian political parties and their study centres 173
- Interest groups and policy analysis in Belgium: examining the policy-analytical capacities and practices of prominent citizen and economic groups 193
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Policy analysis and the public
- Public consultation and participation in Belgium: directly engaging citizens beyond the ballot box? 215
- The role of news media in the policy process in Belgium 235
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Policy analysis by advocates and academics
- Thinking in splendid isolation? The organisation and policy engagement of think tanks in Belgium 257
- Policy analysis by academics 275
- Policy analysis instruction in Belgium 295
- Index 311
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Notes on contributors xiii
- Acknowledgements xx
- Editors’ introduction to the series xxi
- Introduction: policy analysis in Belgium – tradition, comparative features and trends 1
-
Policy styles and methods in Belgium
- The policy-analytical profession in Belgium 13
- Analytical techniques in Belgian policy analysis 35
- Political control and bureaucratic expertise: policy analysis by ministerial cabinet members 57
-
Policy analysis in the government and legislature
- Policy analysis in the central and regional governments 81
- Local planning in Belgium: A myriad of policy styles? 107
- Policy analysis in the Belgian legislatures: the marginal role of a structurally weak parliament in a partitocracy with no scientific and political tradition of policy analysis 129
- Policy advisory bodies in Belgium 151
-
Policy analysis by political parties and interest groups
- Ideas as close as possible to power: Belgian political parties and their study centres 173
- Interest groups and policy analysis in Belgium: examining the policy-analytical capacities and practices of prominent citizen and economic groups 193
-
Policy analysis and the public
- Public consultation and participation in Belgium: directly engaging citizens beyond the ballot box? 215
- The role of news media in the policy process in Belgium 235
-
Policy analysis by advocates and academics
- Thinking in splendid isolation? The organisation and policy engagement of think tanks in Belgium 257
- Policy analysis by academics 275
- Policy analysis instruction in Belgium 295
- Index 311
