On the ground It could be any place in any city in the run-up to a big election, judging by the attitudes of the potential voters.
The city is now like most of its counterparts across Europe, with a lack of interest and suspicion regarding the motives of politicians the main opinion among people of all ages.
In Belfast, the political situation has indeed become truly "normalised".
Sitting on a bench in front of Belfast City Hall on Donegall Square, 19-year-old Paul McClure is totally apathetic towards the whole political process in Northern Ireland.
Too young to vote in the Westminster elections in June 2001, he says he will definitely not be using his franchise on November 26th.
"I couldn't be bothered," he explains. "It's not that I don't have beliefs or opinions, I just don't see what use it is." "It's just old people," says Helen, another young person on Donegall Square.
While she appreciates that politics has brought greater women's rights and personal freedom, its current form in Northern Ireland is of no interest to her. "Politics it's just about old people arguing. And politics ended up with people killing one another before." Nearby, Eilish, from Tyrone says that the county's recent win in the All-Ireland football final has been the main talking point rather than the election.
"It's a whole load of b*****," she says frankly. "I used to vote, but then it was only because I was pestered by my parents who made me go out and vote. But I'm not going to vote this time."
Just down the street on Royal Avenue, Anne and her friend from Limavady, in Derry, are definitely going out to vote. Both believe that peace has brought a dividend. "I mean look at the street here," says Anne. "They were shooting and bombing each other a few years ago. Now they're out shopping."
While she believes Northern politicians have done enough in recent years to bring the process forward, this is not an excuse not to vote.
"Politicians are always arguing and going on, but you have to go out to vote. If you don't, then there's no point complaining about politics afterwards."
On the same street, Belfast pensioners Billy and Bob echo the sentiments of the younger electorate. "I don't know whether I'm even going to vote," says Billy. "I've never had much of an interest in politics." His friend Bob says he "will be voting. But I've not made up my mind who for."