Lecture 7 Power-Sharing

Question 1

What is a constitution?

Answer 1

A constitution is the ultimate source of state authority, establishing governmental institutions and granting them the power to make, apply, enforce, and interpret laws.

Question 2

What does a constitution decide regarding citizens?

Answer 2

It decides who is part of the demos and what rights these citizens have.

Question 3

How can a constitution be changed?

Answer 3

A constitution outlines the processes for how it can be amended or changed.

Question 4

What are the functions of a constitution?

Answer 4

1. Enable self-governance
2. Constrain the abusive capacities of the state
3. Embody political ideas
4. Express and maintain collective identity within democratic arrangements over time

Question 5

Why are constitutions considered to represent ‘frozen identities’?

Answer 5

Constitutions are often made at specific moments in time, such as after war or revolution, representing the identities and compromises of the people negotiating them at that time.

Question 6

What are ‘frozen compromises’ in the context of constitutions?

Answer 6

‘Frozen compromises’ refer to the lasting agreements and decisions made during the drafting of a constitution, which reflect the specific historical context and negotiations of that period.

Question 7

How does a constitution determine political power?

Answer 7

It defines how political power can be gained (access to power), what each institution can do (scope of power), and the interaction between different institutions (separation of powers).

Question 8

What is the role of Constituent Assembly elections in constitution-making?

Answer 8

Constituent Assembly elections elect a temporary parliament with the sole task of formulating a new constitution after transitions.

Question 9

Why are most constitutions from after 1950?

Answer 9

Many countries became independent, and democratic transitions delegitimized authoritarian constitutions, leading to new ones.

Question 10

What are the three key points of constitution-making?

Answer 10

• Balancing political and economic interests, institutional learning, and the idea of a frozen compromise.
• Constitutions are changed often initially but less often and less drastically over time.
• Authoritarian constitutions also slow down but change more frequently than democratic ones.

Question 11

Why are constitutions written in unique windows of opportunity?

Answer 11

The historical context for parties to make extensive compromises must be very specific, making it rare to renew constitutions as a whole.

Question 12

What is institutional creep?

Answer 12

Gradually changing bits of the constitution to avoid the risk of opening up all parts by renewing the entire constitution.

Question 13

How do constitutions affect democratisation positively?

Answer 13

Constitutions create stability, limit power by restricting terms and executive powers, and limit institutional change by requiring supermajorities for constitutional amendments.

Question 14

How can constitutions lead to conflict and strengthen authoritarianism?

Answer 14

Constitutions can be used to legitimize and entrench authoritarian regimes, potentially leading to conflict.

Question 15

What do constitutions define in terms of institutional structure?

Answer 15

Constitutions define the degree to which a system is power-sharing or power-concentrating.

Question 16

What are the two types of democracies according to Lijphart?

Answer 16

Consensus democracies (power-sharing) and majoritarian democracies (power-concentrating).

Question 17

What is the trade-off between consensus and majoritarian democracies?

Answer 17

Consensus democracies are more representative/inclusive but less effective, while majoritarian democracies are less representative/inclusive but more effective.

Question 18

Why do countries try to balance power-sharing and power-concentrating features in a mixed system?

Answer 18

To avoid potential breakdowns due to lack of effectiveness or lack of inclusiveness.

Question 19

How can democracy work in divided societies according to Lijphart?

Answer 19

With consensual institutions.

Question 20

What global shift is observed in electoral systems?

Answer 20

A shift from majoritarian to more mixed and proportional electoral systems

Question 21

Why are presidential elections by definition majoritarian?

Answer 21

Because only one official is elected, though there is a shift from pluralist to absolute majority systems.

Question 22

What is vertical power-sharing?

Answer 22

Dividing power into separate territorial units, such as local, regional, and national levels, also known as decentralisation.

Question 23

Why are federal and decentralised political systems considered more power-sharing?

Answer 23

They divide power across different territorial units and levels of government.

Question 24

What are some benefits of vertical power-sharing for democratisation?

Answer 24

More democratic (closer to people, more accessible and responsive government)
More efficient (better adaptation to local circumstances)
Allows self-government for local minorities
Encourages creative and different solutions

Question 25

What are some downsides of vertical power-sharing for democratisation?

Answer 25

Can be less democratic due to potential local inefficiencies
Less efficient due to economies of scale and national-level collective action problems
Local self-government can lead to calls for independence and discrimination
Different solutions can lead to inequality of laws or service provisions between communities

Question 26

What is horizontal powersharing?

Answer 26

Horizontal power-sharing refers to the division of power into a legislative, executive and judiciary branch. This division is based on different tasks of institutions and it creates checks and balances. Within these branches, power-sharing is also possible, Lijphart argues.