REVISION- ALTERNATIVES TO MAJORITARIAN DEMOCRACIES (FOR SOURCE D1)

Question 1

Why does the Westminister Model work? (MAJORITARIAN SYSTEM)

Answer 1

Works because:

• Overarching identity tied to the state
• Shared assumptions
  1) Expectations of regular alternation in Govt.
  2) Incentive to act as loyal opposition

“The essence of the Westminster model is the concentration of political power in the hands of the majority.” (Lijphart, 1982)

Question 2

What are the problems with Majoritarian Systems?

Answer 2

• Biggest weakness in states with divisions (National,Religious,Linguistic,Cultural)
• Where groups have weak ties to the state
• Minority groups within a state can be permanently excluded from Govt. (E.g: Sri Lanka and the Tamil pop.)

Question 3

What are the alternatives to Majoritarian Systems?

Answer 3

• Secession/Independence
• Devolution/Cantonisation
• Federalisation
• Consociationism
• Domination -> By Force

Question 4

What is Secession/Independence?

Answer 4

• Allow regions or groups to form New States

e. g: N.Sudan and S.Sudan

Question 5

What are the drawbacks to Secession?

Answer 5

-Continuing demands for secession:
N.Sudan and South disputing over middle of Sudan

• Can lead to violence:
  India and Pakistan
• This link between the nation and the state may cause ethnic cleansing

Question 6

What is Devolution?

Answer 6

-The transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially by central government to local or regional administration.

Question 7

What are some drawbacks to Devolution?

Answer 7

• Devolution causes a slippery slope: Fuelling calls for independence

Question 8

What are Federal Systems?

Answer 8

A system of government in which sovereignty is shared between central and peripheral levels

• Strict separation of authority
• Codified constitution
• Judicial review
• Usually bicameral legislature

Question 9

What are some benefits of Federalism?

Answer 9

• Warding off of external threats
• Governing large territory
• Good at dealing with ethnic and cultural diversity (Balancing minority interests: Canada)

Question 10

What are some drawbacks of Federalism?

Answer 10

• Polarisation

- Ineffective decision-making

Question 11

What is Consociationalism?

Answer 11

Based on Ljiphart’s work

Characterised by 4 main principles:

1. Grand coalition/power-sharing executive
2. Segmental autonomy
3. Proportionality
4. Minority veto

Elite level process – separate communities but to allow negotiation via politics

Classic cases – Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland & Austria

Question 12

What are some critiques to Consociationalism?

Answer 12

-No clear explanation as to how consociationalism lead to integration between sep communities

• Differing approaches to identity
  Corporatist Approach: Identity fixed
  Liberal Approach: Identity is malleable
• Revised consociationalism lacks coherency: Changes too often (Academic Marketing)
• Lack of proven success? -
• Problems with deep divisions?