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Belgium

In: New Public Managers in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Roger Depré
  • Annie Hondeghem

Abstract

As in other European countries, the public sector in Belgium is undergoing rapid change. For some years, there has been pressure upon government to adapt and modernize. There are several reasons for this. First, Belgium has an enormous public debt: almost 10000 billion Belgium francs or 140 per cent of its gross national product (GNP). This debt is the result of unorthodox public spending in the past. In order to maintain the equilibria in Belgian society amongst linguistic, ideological and religious groups, a policy of compensation was carried out. If one group obtained something, other groups received an equivalent. In this way conflicts were avoided but at enormous economic cost. Pressure is now coming from the European Union and the Treaty of Maastricht to curb public expenditure and reduce the national debt.

Suggested Citation

  • Roger Depré & Annie Hondeghem, 1996. "Belgium," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: David Farnham & Sylvia Horton & John Barlow & Annie Hondeghem (ed.), New Public Managers in Europe, chapter 4, pages 79-99, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-349-13947-7_4
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-13947-7_4
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