Consociational Power-Sharing in Northern Ireland

"This is a vital book on Northern Ireland’s consociational political arrangements. A collection of leading authors critically dissect the strengths and weaknesses of power-sharing between rival blocs. Although public support for the Good Friday Agreement remains strong, episodic collapses of the political institutions created by that 1998 deal have led to calls for reform. This volume analyses the value of power-sharing; explores the extent to which fragility is in-built within the polity; considers whether a consociation can ever degrade the bloc divisions it manages; and assesses how its democratic institutions might evolve. The book is an essential read for anyone wanting to better understand the difficult dynamics of managing a divided society."

Jonathan Tonge, Professor of Politics, University of Liverpool

"Northern Ireland’s peace was never meant to stand still. This urgent and unflinching collection reveals the cracks beneath the surface—fractured identities, stalled reforms, and politics in flux. With sharp contributions from leading voices including Brendan O’Leary, Matthijs Bogaards, Joseph Ruane, and Jennifer Todd, it asks the hard questions: what was promised, what was delivered, and what still lies ahead? Essential reading for anyone navigating the challenges of post-conflict consociational democracy."

Michael Kerr, Professor of Conflict Studies, King's College London

"This collection captures a moment at which the shine has come off consociationalism in Northern Ireland. These essays confront the challenges in applying consociational ideas in Northern Ireland amid the upheavals of Brexit and demographic shift, and the groups marginalised as a result. This makes for essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the process by which a society outgrows the strictures imposed by such a governance order and the challenges inherent in adapting such arrangements."

Colin Murray, Professor of Law and Democracy, Newcastle University

'Agarin and Taylor have assembled an impressive range of contributors to offer a comprehensive perspective on Northern Ireland’s consociational conundrum, which remains a paradigmatic case of ethnic conflict regulation. Individually and collectively, they explore what has and has not worked well since the original agreement in 1998. The intellectual depth of the analysis is outstanding, making this collection required reading for any student of the political dynamics of divided societies.'

Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham