Consociationalism is a form of democracy which seeks to regulate the sharing of power in a state that comprises diverse societies (distinct ethnic, religious, political, national or linguistic groups), by allocating these groups’ collective rights and preventing the outbreak of open conflict in socially heterogeneous societies (Lijphart). It is very hard, almost impossible, to find a country with a clean cut, perfect consensus democracy. In 1999, Lijphart described Switzerland as “the clearest prototype” of a consensus government. Today, following the significant political problems of recent times, Switzerland may not be “the best example” of a consensus democracy as it is moving slightly closer to the majoritarian side of the spectrum. Switzerland’s
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During the first fifty years, the Federal Council was dominated by the Radicals but as time would go on, members of different parties would have a chance to represent their party in the Federal Council as seats began to open up for them. In 1959, all four of the major parties agreed to use the “magic formula” in order to obtain full proportional representation in the Federal Council. Today, proportional representation is becoming more majoritarian than ever before within the Swiss government. The Council of States, the second Swiss chamber, is elected based on the democratic method chosen by the canton - each full canton sends two representatives and each half canton sends one representation. This hybrid system of government makes Switzerland less consensual than if it was based strictly on proportional representation, pulling it further away from a pure consensus government on the …show more content…
Consensus governments have constitutional rigidity that can only be changed by certain majority votes. Constitutions may need to be amended for a number of reasons such as to adjust provisions that are inadequate or to respond to new needs (Dorsen). Some concerns have been raised that majority voting for referendums may not represent the minorities adequately, but amendments made to the Swiss constitution require the approval by a referendum, not only by a nationwide majority, but also majorities in a majority of the cantons
During the first fifty years, the Federal Council was dominated by the Radicals but as time would go on, members of different parties would have a chance to represent their party in the Federal Council as seats began to open up for them. In 1959, all four of the major parties agreed to use the “magic formula” in order to obtain full proportional representation in the Federal Council. Today, proportional representation is becoming more majoritarian than ever before within the Swiss government. The Council of States, the second Swiss chamber, is elected based on the democratic method chosen by the canton - each full canton sends two representatives and each half canton sends one representation. This hybrid system of government makes Switzerland less consensual than if it was based strictly on proportional representation, pulling it further away from a pure consensus government on the …show more content…
Consensus governments have constitutional rigidity that can only be changed by certain majority votes. Constitutions may need to be amended for a number of reasons such as to adjust provisions that are inadequate or to respond to new needs (Dorsen). Some concerns have been raised that majority voting for referendums may not represent the minorities adequately, but amendments made to the Swiss constitution require the approval by a referendum, not only by a nationwide majority, but also majorities in a majority of the cantons