Uncertainty and Cleavages at stake: Do the Belgian Constitutions of 1831 and 1993 stabilize Political Power?

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.