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Classical examples of consociational states are Belgium , Switzerland , Lebanon , India and The Netherlands

Consociational polities often have these characteristics:
  • Coalition Cabinet s, where executive power is shared between parties, not concentrated in one. Many of these cabinets are oversized, they include parties not necessary for a parliamentary majority;

  • Balance of power between Executive and Legislative ;

  • Decentralized and Federal Government , where (regional) minorities have considerable independence;

  • Asymmetric Bicameralism , where it is very difficult for one party to gain a majority in both houses. Normally one chamber represents regional interests and the other national interests;

  • Proportional Representation , to allow (small) minorities to gain representation too;

  • Organized and Corporatist interest groups, which represent minorities;

  • A rigid Constitution , which prevents government from changing the constitution without consent of minorities;

  • Judicial Review , which allow minorities to go to the courts to seek redress against laws that they see as unjust;

  • Elements of Direct Democracy , which allow minorities to enact or prevent legislation;

  • Proportional employment in the public sector;

  • A neutral Head Of State , either a Monarch with only a ceremonial duties, or an indirectly elect president, who gives up party affiliation after his election;

  • and that there is no compulsory voting.

  • Equality between ministers in cabinet, the Prime Minister is only the Primus Inter Pares ;

  • An independent Central Bank , where experts and not politicians set out monetary policies.


In this view, s and Catholic s; and French -, German -, Italian - and Romansch -speaking groups.

The is directly elected, the other the European Council consists of national ministers. The executive (the European Commission ) is very weak in comparison to the legislature (especially the European Council). The Commission could be seen as an oversized coalition including (nearly) all parties in parliament.


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