Power Sharing : New Challenges For Divided Societies

David Russell

ISBN 10: 0745322921 / ISBN 13: 9780745322926

Published by Pluto Press, 2005

About this Item

nach der Bestellung gedruckt Neuware - Printed after ordering - It is widely assumed that internal power-sharing is a viable democratic means of managing inter-communal conflict in divided societies. In principle, this form of government enables communities that have conflicting identities to remedy longstanding patterns of discrimination and to co-exist peacefully. Key arguments in support of this view can be found in the highly influential works of Arend Lijphart and Donald Horowitz. Power Sharing seeks to explore the unintended consequences of power-sharing for the communities themselves, their individual members, and for others in society. More specifically, it is distinctive in questioning explicitly whether power sharing: perpetuates inter-communal conflict by institutionalising difference at the political level; inhibits conflict resolution by encouraging extremism; stifles internal diversity; and fails to leave sufficient space for individual autonomy. This book not only provides a theoretical exploration and critique of these questions, but comprehensively examines specific test cases where power-sharing institutions have been established, including in Northern Ireland, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Lebanon. It also explores such issues as the role of political leaders, human rights instruments, the position of women, and the prospects for reconciliation within such societies. Furthermore it provides a detailed set of policy recommendations to meet the challenges of transition in deeply-divided societies.

Seller Inventory # 9780745322926

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Power Sharing : New Challenges For Divided Societies
• Publisher: Pluto Press
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0745322921
• ISBN 13: 9780745322926
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 216W x 140H x 14D millimeters 216 millimeters width by 140 millimeters height by 14 millimeters depth
• Weight: 344 grams

About this title

Synopsis

It is widely assumed that internal power-sharing is a viable democratic means of managing inter-communal conflict in divided societies. In principle, this form of government enables communities that have conflicting identities to remedy longstanding patterns of discrimination and to co-exist peacefully. Key arguments in support of this view can be found in the highly influential works of Arend Lijphart and Donald Horowitz. New Challenges for Power-Sharing seeks to explore the unintended consequences of power-sharing for the communities themselves, their individual members, and for others in society. More specifically, it is distinctive in questioning explicitly whether power sharing: perpetuates inter-communal conflict by institutionalising difference at the political level; inhibits conflict resolution by encouraging extremism; stifles internal diversity; and fails to leave sufficient space for individual autonomy. This book not only provides a theoretical exploration and critique of these questions, but comprehensively examines specific test cases where power-sharing institutions have been established, including in Northern Ireland, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Lebanon. It also explores such issues as the role of political leaders, human rights instruments, the position of women, and the prospects for reconciliation within such societies. Furthermore it provides a detailed set of policy recommendations to meet the challenges of transition in deeply-divided societies.

About the Authors

Ian O'Flynn is Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at Newcastle University. He is a specialist on the nature and requirements of democracy in multicultural and multinational societies. He is the co-editor of Power Sharing (Pluto, 2005) and the editor of The Value and Limits of Rights (Routledge, 2013).

David Russell is currently Research Associate at the Centre for Lebanese Studies, Oxford University. He is the co-editor of Power Sharing (Pluto, 2005).