consociationalism
Divided society governance
Consociationalism is a political arrangement for governing deeply divided societies—those split along ethnic, religious, or linguistic lines.
Power is shared among group leaders through coalition governments, mutual vetoes, and proportional representation, rather than simple majority rule.
Belgium and Lebanon have consociational systems.
The approach prioritizes stability over efficiency, critics say, by entrenching divisions it claims to manage.
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
- consensusGeneral group agreement
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
depoliticization · pragmatism · moderation · bridge-building · settlement · reconciliation · coexistence
State of balance
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
- conflict-resolutionSettling disputes constructively
- post-conflictAfter armed struggle ends
- orderlinessMethodical arrangement of things
durability · resilience · cohesion · integration · nation-building · state-building · Bosnia · Lebanon
Classification by shared traits
- majoritarianRule by most voters
- WestminsterLondon's political center
- centrifugalDirected away from axis
- centripetalMoving toward center
Division into sections
- subculturesGroups with shared alternative identities
- ethnicityShared cultural heritage group
- minoritiesSmaller portions of populations
- multiculturalismCoexistence of diverse traditions
compromise
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
- consensusGeneral group agreement
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
negotiation · depoliticization · pragmatism · moderation · bridge-building · settlement · reconciliation · coexistence
equilibrium
State of balance
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
- conflict-resolutionSettling disputes constructively
- post-conflictAfter armed struggle ends
orderliness · durability · resilience · cohesion · integration · nation-building · state-building · Bosnia · Lebanon · Belgium
typology
Classification by shared traits
- majoritarianRule by most voters
- WestminsterLondon's political center
- centrifugalDirected away from axis
centripetal · criticisms · entrenchment · corporatism · federalism
segmentation
Division into sections
- subculturesGroups with shared alternative identities
- ethnicityShared cultural heritage group
- minoritiesSmaller portions of populations
multiculturalism · salience · cross-cutting · communalism · sectarianism
parity
State of being equal
- bipartisanInvolving both major parties
- ethnic politicsethnic nationalism, ethnic conflict, ethnic identity, ethnic tension, ethnic cleansing
- pillarisationvertical integration
- governancegovernance, government, democracy, vote, parliament
- sectarianismsectarianism, sectarian, sect, schism, schismatic
- shared powerpower sharing, dual control, joint sovereignty, dual sovereignty, co-management
- ethnic policiesaffirmative action, apartheid, multiculturalism, minority rights, quota system
social, society, associate, association, sociable, associated, socialism, associates, associating