Consociational Democracy in Lebanon: A Flawed System of Governance

Abstract

This article explains the collapse of Lebanon's system of governance by viewing Lebanon as a case of consociational democracy that could not be maintained after the prerequisites and conditions conducive to its establishment were no longer met. The discussion is in four parts: First, we examine and outline consociational democracy theory. Second, we show that this outline is applicable to Lebanon. Third, we examine the factors that pushed consociational democracy to the breaking point. Finally, we outline the ingredients of a new political system for Lebanon.