Suchergebnisse

"Consociationalism, Power Sharing, and Politics at the Center" published on by Oxford University Press.

The question concerning whether consociational democratic & corporatist government systems adequately represent societal interests is addressed. Overviews of existing literature on consociational democracies & corporatism are presented; in addition, the central features of each representative democratic system are highlighted. The extent of consociationalism & corporatism in various democracies (N = 36) throughout the world is then measured. Although some scholars assert that consociationalism & corporatism are nearly identical forms of government, it is demonstrated that significant differences exist between the two kinds of democracy. Several factors responsible for the emergence (eg, the use of compromise in fragmented societies) & eventual decline (eg, the arrival of new conflicts that have replaced old ones) of both forms of democracy are identified. Additional attention is dedicated to determining whether consociationalism & corporatism are actually important forms of negotiation democracy. It is concluded that despite its many disadvantages, negotiation democracy will persist in the future. 3 Tables, 2 Figures. J. W. Parker

Switzerland is examined as a model for the successful accommodation of cleavage groups. An overview of the history of conflicts between groups with linguistic & religious differences is followed by a look at the impact of political institutions, especially federalism, on the management of territorially based cleavages. An examination of Swiss cleavage management from both constructivist & historical institutionalism perspectives focuses on the discourse surrounding the multicultural political order & the process of identity building. Consideration is also given to the effect of historical patterns of institution building & such non-institutional factors as socioeconomic differences. It is concluded that successful accommodation has been the result of both federal institutions that allow cleavage groups a broad range of autonomous policy-making powers & the promotion by political actors of a political discourse centered on Switzerland's multicultural character. The Swiss example illustrates that the successful management of territorial cleavages depends on strong nonmajoritarian devices, development of multicultural identities, & the willingness of elites to contain growing divisions. 93 References. J. Lindroth

"Territorial and Institutional Settlements in the Global South and Beyond" published on by Oxford University Press.

Der Autor stellt die Frage, ob die vom Karfreitags- bzw. St. Andrews-Abkommen etablierten Strukturen Nordirland tatsächlich befrieden. Im ersten Schritt wird die auf dem Karfreitags- und dem St. Andrews-Abkommen basierende konkordanzdemokratische Lösung des Nordirlandabkommens vorgestellt. Im nächsten Schritt wird diese Lösung an den ursprünglich von Lijphart entwickelten Kriterien gemessen. Danach folgt eine Betrachtung zum revisionistischen Consociationalism McGarrys und O'Learys, sowie die Erörterung der Argumente ihrer Kritiker. (ICB)

Discusses delegation & accountability relationships in the Netherlands, which has been characterized both as a consociational democracy & a neo-corporatist system, each of which stresses the primacy of elites. Catholic, Protestant, & Socialist groups have established networks of subcultural organizations; this aspect of Dutch political culture is known as pillarization. Although the social pillars have largely declined in influence, their leaders still bear collective responsibility for governance in an environment of compromise & cooperation, working together in particular policy areas such as education & socioeconomic policy, often in tripartite advisory councils. The impact of Dutch consociationalism & neo-corporatism on political parties, legislation, voting, & the delegation process is described, followed by a discussion of external factors affecting delegation & accountability, including referendums, the judiciary, & the Netherlands' EU membership. The conclusion underscores key areas of deviation from the ideal-type chain of delegation & accountability. 1 Table, 34 References. K. Coddon

"Managing Ethnicity in African Politics" published on by Oxford University Press.

An exploration of territorial cleavages in Belgium highlights the Flemish-Walloon conflict that has shaped 20th-century politics. The widespread disruptive but nonviolent territorial protest that persisted throughout the 1950s-1960s has declined & both Belgian & regional identities appeared to be more inclusive in the 1990s. The linguistic basis of territorial conflict is pointed out, along with the evolution from linguistic grievances to territorial grievances to territorial conflict. A long process of institutional reform led to Belgium's transformation from a unitary to a federal state in 1993. Special attention is given to the contribution of federalism to the decrease in disruptive territorial conflict. It is argued that non-territorial (primarily consociational) limits to majority rule helped to avoid violence but also contributed to centrifugal territorial conflict. Although the legacy of non-territorial limits to majority rule smoothed the transition to a federal regime which has lessened disruptive conflict & bolstered a Belgian identity, it is contended that "incentives to hollow the center in exchange for peace remain strong.". 4 Tables, 69 References. J. Lindroth