Consociational democracy
Also called: Consociationalism · Topic: Power-sharing: Majoritarianism versus Accommodation · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Consociational democracy is a model of power-sharing for deeply divided societies. Arend Lijphart described it in 1977. It has four features:
- a grand coalition, meaning a government that includes all major groups;
- mutual veto, meaning each group can block decisions that threaten it;
- proportionality, meaning seats and posts are shared out by group size;
- segmental autonomy, meaning each group runs its own affairs.
Critics say it hardens group identities and can make government rigid or stuck. Horowitz (1985) preferred rewards that encourage cooperation across groups.
Example
Belgium, Switzerland, Northern Ireland (1998), Bosnia (1995) and Lebanon are examples. Lijphart (1996) also called India consociational. Critics answer that India never reserves executive posts, such as minister or Prime Minister, by community.
Don't confuse with
- Federalism: this divides power between levels of government by territory. Consociationalism shares power among social groups, whether or not they have their own territory.