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A consensus government is a national unity government with representation across the whole political spectrum. A concordance democracy is a type of consensus democracy where majority rule does not play a central role.
What is Consensus Democracy? Arend Lijphart’s idea of “consensus democracy”4 is a form of government with institutional structures that allow power-sharing to take place in politically heterogeneous and/or divided societies. According to Lijphart, consensus democracies empower ethnic, religious, 3
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Concordance democracy is a type of governing / ruling a country that aims to involve as many different groups as possible (parties, associations, minorities, social groups) in the political process and to make decisions by reaching a consensus.
Concordance democracy contrasts with so-called “competitive democracy”, which is a hallmark of most other democracies worldwide. After elections, the party with the largest number of voters takes over the government or forms a coalition government with one or more other parties.
The consensus model of democracy may be described in terms of ten elements that stand in sharp contrast to each of the ten majoritarian characteristics of the Westminster model. Instead of concentrating power in the hands of the majority, the consensus model tries to share, disperse, and restrain power in a variety of ways. 1.
Contrary to common belief, consensus democracy is based not so much on consensus but on dissensus, that is, on differences in conviction and outlook on life, differences that need to be taken on board in democracy. Consensus democracies are often rooted in divided or ‘pillarized’ societies.
Jul 3, 2022 · The first difference between consensus democracy and majoritarian democracy is that the majoritarian democracy model exercises power in the form of a majority, which is often a relative majority rather than an absolute majority; while the consensus model of democracy shares power and achieves co-governance through consultation, dialogue and ...
