Powersharing in Post-Conflict Democracies: Inclusive vs Constraining Effects

New research examines political powersharing institutions (ethnic quotas, federalism, independent judiciaries) and their effects on democratic survival from 1975 to 2015 using a global dataset. 📊

Key findings reveal sharp distinctions across types of powersharing:

• Ethnic Quotas & Federalism: Inclusive policies help minority interests but can undermine democracy if introduced post-conflict; dispersive systems like federalism tend to destabilize post-conflict democracies.
• Independent Judiciaries & Constitutional Protections: Constraining institutions, safeguarding leader accountability and rights regardless of context, consistently improve democratic survival. 🏛️⚖️

This means that institution-builders should strategically implement constraining powersharing mechanisms for lasting democratic stability rather than focusing solely on inclusive approaches. 💡