Power Sharing in Lebanon
Power Sharing in Lebanon

Author: Eduardo Wassim Aboultaif

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-01-15

Total Pages: 399

ISBN-13: 0429827059

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This book studies the origins and evolution of power sharing in Lebanon. The author has established a relationship between mobilization, ethnurgy (ethnic identification), memory and trauma, and how they impact power sharing provisions. The book starts with the events in the 1820s, when communities began to politicize their identities, and which led to the first major outbreak of civil violence between the Druze and the Maronites. Consequently, these troubled four decades in Lebanon led to the introduction of various forms of power-sharing arrangements to establish peace. The political systems introduced in Lebanon are: the Kaim-Makamiya (dual sub-governorship), a quasi-federal arrangement; the Mutassarifiya, the prototype of a power-sharing system; the post-independence political system of Lebanon which the book refers to as semi-consociation, due to the concentration of executive powers in the Presidential office; and finally, the full consociation of the Taif Republic. In each of these phases, there was a peculiar interaction between the non-structural elements that had a direct impact on power sharing; this led at times to instability, and at other times it brought down the system, as in 1840–1860 and 1975. Power Sharing in Lebanon is the first academic work that emphasizes the influence of the non-structural elements that hinder power sharing. This volume is now a key resource for students and academics interested in Lebanese Politics and the Middle East.

The Decline of Consociationalism
The Decline of Consociationalism

Author: Ziyād Māǧid

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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The consociational democracy system in Lebanon is no longer capable of avoiding and managing crises for many reasons that are internal and external. Among these reasons are the changes in the elites (especially of the Maronites, Sunnis and Shiites) and their characteristics, the important demographic development and the modification of the confessional ratios, the transformation of the "veto right" into a hampering factor in every critical aspect of the political life, and the excess in the armed Hezbollah's power. To these factors are added the external pressures and the weakness of national consenses towards the region's axes and conflicts. Nevertheless, given its success in freezing the political system and its shares, given the institutionalization of vertical divisions on the basis of their exclusive representation of political groupings, and given the attachment of most forces to the power-sharing principle, consociationalism cannot be overcome easily. This by itself is a sign of both its strength and weakness: It does not function properly, but it cannot be overcome. In fact, all confessional political forces, consider it a guarantee to block any attempt by one ruling alliance at imposing choices and decisions. They also fear that any discussion over radical reforms might open the way to reconsidering the confessional quota system and its freezed formulas, which will create tensions and confrontations between the concerned groups. The absence of alternatives in the meantime does not eliminate the need for reforming political institutions, nor the necessity of discussing issues which could attenuate acute crises and enhance the performance of the regime.

The Two-State Delusion
The Two-State Delusion

Author: Padraig O'Malley

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2016-07-26

Total Pages: 514

ISBN-13: 0143129171

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Author Padraig O'Malley is the subject of the new acclaimed documentary The Peacemaker. “Impressive . . . [O’Malley] has done a tremendous amount of research about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” —The New York Times Book Review Disputes over settlements, the right of return, the rise of Hamas, recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, and other intractable issues have repeatedly derailed peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine. Now, in a book that is sure to spark controversy, renowned peacemaker Padraig O’Malley argues that the moment for a two-state solution has passed. After examining each issue and speaking with Palestinians and Israelis as well as negotiators directly involved in past summits, O’Malley concludes that even if such an agreement could be reached, it would be nearly impossible to implement given a variety of obstacles including the staggering costs involved, Palestine’s political disunity and economic fragility, rapidly changing demographics in the region, Israel’s continuing political shift to the right, global warming’s effect on the water supply, and more. In this revelatory, hard-hitting book, O’Malley approaches the key issues pragmatically, without ideological bias, to show that we must find new frameworks for reconciliation if there is to be lasting peace between Palestine and Israel.

Consociational Theory
Consociational Theory

Author: Rupert Taylor

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2009-03-20

Total Pages: 492

ISBN-13: 1134087608

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Consociational power sharing is increasingly gaining ground, right around the world, as a means for resolving political conflict in divided societies. In this volume, edited by Rupert Taylor, nineteen internationally-respected scholars engage in a lively debate about the merits of the theory underlying this approach. The volume focuses specifically on one of the leading cases under the global spotlight, the Northern Ireland conflict, and brings together the most prominent proponents and opponents of consociationalism. Northern Ireland’s transition from war to peace is seen by consociationalists as flowing from the historic Belfast Agreement of 1998, and specifically from the Agreement’s consociational framework. The Northern Ireland case is marketed by consociationalists as representing best practice, and as providing a template for ending conflicts in other parts of the world. However, as this volume interrogates, on what grounds, and to what extent, can such a positive reading be upheld? Taken as a whole, this volume, structured as a symposium around the highly-influential argument of John McGarry and Brendan O’Leary, offers comparative, engaging, and critical insight into how political theory can contribute to the creation of a better world. Consociational Theory is an important text for anyone with an interest in political theory, conflict resolution in divided societies, or Irish politics.

Politics in Deeply Divided Societies
Politics in Deeply Divided Societies

Author: Adrian Guelke

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2013-04-25

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 0745660649

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The establishment of durable, democratic institutions constitutes one of the major challenges of our age. As countless contemporary examples have shown, it requires far more than simply the holding of free elections. The consolidation of a legitimate constitutional order is difficult to achieve in any society, but it is especially problematic in societies with deep social cleavages. This book provides an authoritative and systematic analysis of the politics of so-called 'deeply divided societies' in the post Cold War era. From Bosnia to South Africa, Northern Ireland to Iraq, it explains why such places are so prone to political violence, and demonstrates why - even in times of peace - the fear of violence continues to shape attitudes, entrenching divisions in societies that already lack consensus on their political institutions. Combining intellectual rigour and accessibility, it examines the challenge of establishing order and justice in such unstable environments, and critically assesses a range of political options available, from partition to power-sharing and various initiatives to promote integration. The Politics of Deeply Divided Societies is an ideal resource for students of comparative politics and related disciplines, as well as anyone with an interest in the dynamics of ethnic conflict and nationalism.