Governing Societies in Conflict

Module code: PL2024

While division in some form is a part of all nations, there are several nations and regions where these divisions run deeper. Regions such as Northern Ireland, a part of the UK that saw ethnic conflict for 30 years, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a melting pot of three cultures spilt over into genocide and ethnic cleansing, have systems of governance in place in some form, but these are not always successful. How are deeply divided societies governed?

In this module, you'll look at the theoretical and conceptual debates surrounding democratic governance in divided societies, focusing on the consociational model. You'll apply these to specific case studies of attempts to promote democratic stability in divided societies. You'll analyse and evaluate the debates of the secondary literature, including the approaches to establishing stable democratic systems, and appraise the limits of majoritarian democracy in divided societies.