The Limits of Consociational Power Sharing

Abstract

This chapter assesses the parameters of what consociational power sharing is able to achieve in practice. Whilst this form of conflict management is primarily heralded due to its ability to provide relative stability by recognising and accommodating different groups in divided societies, some consociationalists believe that the approach may be able to break down traditional divisions and bring about a genuinely shared common identity. In comparing results from different consociational societies, this chapter tests this hypothesis. It concludes that the parameters of consociational power sharing are limited to providing effective conflict management and do not extend to achieving significant identity transformation.