Gyuler K. Belgian federalism as a form of ethno-political conflicts management

Abstract: The article is devoted to the consideration of federalism as a form of ethno-political conflict management in modern Belgium. Recently separatist movements have intensified in many national states, including some EU member-states. It is known that Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium, but also the political centre of the European Union. At the same time, the increase of ethnic and separatist movements in Western Europe, as independence referendums in Scotland, Catalonia and Northern Ireland, can lead to the increase of ethno-political conflicts in some regions of Belgium. Therefore, the prevention of conflicts in Belgium is very important for the stability in the European Union. The methodology of the research is based on the systems approach, structural-functional and comparative-political approaches, the methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and observation. The author pays attention to the fact that at present it is very important to consider the Belgian experience of ethno-political conflicts management on the base of the federalist model which had been adopted in the country in the late 20th century. This experience is important for modern Western European countries, since they are potentially prone to ethno-political conflicts. The article analyzes Belgium’s federal system in the context of ethno-political conflicts management. 

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