Republic and popular sovereignty. The Belgian case: 1830-1831

Abstract

This article addresses the concept of popular sovereignty on the basis of the discourses of the re- publicans during the Belgian revolutionary watershed moment and the establishment of the Constitution (1830-1831). The group of republicans was not only fairly heterogeneous; it was also very small to take up the fight against the majority of liberals, Catholics and Orangists. Their ideas corresponded by and large to those endorsed by the French republican Jacobins and Babouvists. The republic was for them the ideal regime, based on a just form of government that could put an end to monarchy and ensure power was firmly in the hands of the people. Republic and popular sovereignty coincide. The people are the all-powerful sovereign that intervenes directly in public affairs and controls the government. Popular sovereignty should therefore suffer as few limitations as possible and remain one of the fundamental principles of the new order. In defending their ideas however, the republicans inevitably came up against a majority determined to avoid a return to a republican regime – a regime associated with the evils of the “Terreur”. Harsh attacks, debates and vehement diatribes were not uncommon. As a result, both the concept of republic and popular sovereignty went by the board. To do away with the republic the concept of republican monarchy was introduced, i.e. a constitutional monarchy that deprived the king of a great deal of power and left the final word to the people. No longer was there any question of a sovereign people. Instead, a well-to-do elite ensured that a limited, chosen sovereignty was established. The concept of popular sovereignty was replaced by that of national sovereignty. The republicans were therefore clearly defeated on both these essential but controversial issues after a bitter and desperate struggle. But this does not mean that they did not influence the course of events. Their contribution to the fight against the king and the House of Orange was crucial and often, they supported the left-wing liberals to ensure more gains were made than the conservatives were prepared to concede. And their greatest victory will have been the subordination of the king and the ruling power to representative sovereignty.