What is one goal of the governance system known as consociationalism?

Consociationalism is a governance system aimed at managing a deeply divided society, particularly one characterized by significant ethnic, religious, or cultural cleavages. The typical goal of consociationalism is to promote stability and peace by ensuring that diverse groups within society feel represented and included in the political process. This is achieved through mechanisms such as power-sharing, which allows various segments of society to have a stake in governance and decision-making.

In a consociational system, political leaders from different groups negotiate to allocate power among themselves, which can help to mitigate conflicts that may arise from majority dominance and exclusion of minority groups. This approach is especially relevant in contexts like Northern Ireland, where historical tensions have existed along ethnic and sectarian lines. By prioritizing power-sharing and inclusion, consociationalism works to foster cooperation and ultimately enhance social cohesion within a divided society.