Lecture 7: Power-sharing vs Power-concentrating Institutions Flashcards
What are the causes of democratization?
Long-term, mid-term, and short-term causes.
What does a constitution do?
It establishes governmental institutions (legislature, executive, judiciary) and grants them power to make, apply, enforce, and interpret laws.
(Stone-Sweet, p.160)
What key decisions does a constitution make?
Defines citizenship, rights, access to power, institutional powers, separation of powers, and how the constitution can be changed.
Why are constitutions important?
They enable self-governance, constrain state abuse, embody political ideals, maintain collective identity, and temporarily resolve conflicts.
What is the ‘frozen conflict’ function of constitutions?
Constitutions are created in moments of historical compromise, often after civil wars or revolutions, and freeze identities or agreements in time.
Why have most new constitutions been made since 1950?
Due to the second and third waves of democratization, newly independent countries, and the need to replace authoritarian constitutions post-transition.
What is an example of a successful new constitution?
South Africa.
What is an example of a failed new constitution?
Egypt (collapse) and Chile (rejected constitution).
What factors shape constitution-making?
Balancing political & economic interests, institutional learning, and the experiences of those drafting the constitution.
How do constitutions change over time?
Large changes occur early, but over time, constitutions become fixed and function as constraints within which politics operates.
How do authoritarian constitutions differ?
They also stabilize over time but continue to change more frequently than democratic constitutions.
Why is it risky to change a constitution?
Opening one part for revision might lead to broader, unintended changes. Instead, countries prefer gradual amendments (institutional creep).
Can a constitution create conflict?
Yes, if it excludes groups, reinforces divisions, or legitimizes authoritarian rule.
How can constitutions support democratization?
They create stability, limit authoritarian power, set term limits, and establish institutional checks and balances.
Why do political scientists care about constitutions?
They define a country’s power structure and influence democratization. Scholars like Lijphart advise new democracies on constitutional design.
How do constitutions affect power-sharing or power-concentration?
They determine whether a country has institutions that share power across groups or concentrate it in a central authority.
What are power-sharing institutions?
Institutions that distribute power across different actors, often used in divided societies to ensure inclusivity and stability.
What are power-concentrating institutions?
Institutions that centralize decision-making authority, which can create efficiency but may limit representation.
What is vertical power-sharing?
The division of power between different levels of government: national, regional, and local.
What is horizontal power-sharing?
The division of power among different branches of government: legislative, executive, and judiciary.
What is the difference between consensus and majoritarian democracies?
Consensus democracies share power across groups, while majoritarian democracies allow the majority to rule with limited checks.
What are the 10 institutional features in Lijphart’s model?
They determine whether a democracy is power-sharing (consensus) or power-concentrating (majoritarian).
What is the purpose of power-sharing in divided societies?
It allows democracy to function even when society is fragmented by ethnicity, religion, or ideology.
How does vertical power-sharing work?
It divides power between territorial units: local, regional, and national governments.
