Faculty Bibliography

There will be no divorce, for now. But the latest 'reforms' don't correct the basic political dysfunctions of a country so divided.

Mnookin and Verbeke describe the nonviolent but very serious conflict in Belgium between the Flemish (Dutch) of the North and the Walloons (French) of the South. The Flemish economy is more prosperous than the Walloon economy, and the Flemish constitute a majority of the Belgian population. Nevertheless, the Walloons enjoy a financial subsidy from the Flemish and share equally in the political power of the nation due to antimajoritarian restrictions built into the government structure. Even though significant and persistent, this conflict remains nonviolent due to several factors, including largely separate geography, language and social structure; a low-stakes conflict; relatively small wealth disparities; a federal system largely enabling separate political systems; and a pragmatic tradition. Mnookin and Verbeke argue that the disputants can continue to coexist with a civilized separation short of divorce. They further point out that the very factors that help keep this conflict nonviolent also serve to provide little incentive to work toward a more cooperative relationship.

In this article we apply some basic principles of negotiation theory, such as sources of value creation, the three tensions, the importance of process approach, to the Belgian institutional and political crisis.

In dit artikel bekijken de auteurs hoe de Belgische politieke impasse anno 2007 kan opgelost worden vanuit de negotiatietheorie. In this article a solution for the Belgian political problem anno 2007 is suggested via the theory of negotiation.

In this Op Ed we comment on how the debate following the TV show at RTBF on Bye Bye Belgium illustrates the deathness on both sides of the language divide. People argue from within their position without listening to the other side. Negotiation experts know that a true dialogue and solution may only be found if parties both listen with empathy to each other and assert their own interests clearly but with respect for the other side. This problem solving and collaborative attitude is lacking in the Belgian institutional context.

In this Op Ed, we comment on how the debate following the TV show at RTBF on Bye Bye Belgium illustrates the deafness on both sides of the language divide. People argue from within their position without listening to the other side. Negotiation experts know that a true dialogue and solution may only be found if parties both listen with empathy to each other and assert their own interests clearly but with respect for the other side. This problem solving and collaborative attitude is lacking in the Belgian institutional context.

In this Op Ed published on Belgium national holiday 2006, we describe the historical proposed resolution in the Chamber of Representatives on the splitting of the Belgian State and the creation of independent states for Flanders and Wallonia. By majority vote this proposal has been accepted for discussion. The paradox is however that no one seems to takes this seriously. The proposal was introduced by the Flemish right extremist and separatist party Vlaams Belang. Francophone parties voted against. Flemish parties voted in favour but consider this a non event. Why continue to ignore such important signals? We argue that this proposal should be taken as an opportunity to open and start a truly constructive and positive dialogue. Keeping all options open, not only towards more devolution but also towards reconciliation and more unity.

In this Op Ed published on Belgium national holiday 2006, we describe the historical proposed resolution in the Chamber of Representatives on the splitting of the Belgian State and the creation of independent states for Flanders and Wallonia. By majority vote this proposal has been accepted for discussion. The paradox is however that no one seems to takes this seriously. The proposal was introduced by the Flemish right extremist and separatist party Vlaams Belang. Francophone parties voted against. Flemish parties voted in favour but consider this a non event. Why continue to ignore such important signals? We argue that this proposal should be taken as an opportunity to open and start a truly constructive and positive dialogue. Keeping all options open, not only towards more devolution but also towards reconciliation and more unity.