Publication

In this paper we begin by identifying and distinguishing the most important features of power-sharing institutions, such as inclusiveness proportionality, and devolution of power (federalism). We then raise the questions of whether power-sharing is likely to be democratic and effective in promoting civil peace and societal development. In essence, we shall argue, power-sharing implies the pursuit of one conception of democracy, which we shall refer to as ex post fairness, at the expense of others, such as ex ante uncertainty or performance sensitivity. Finally, we develop a game-theoretic model of power-sharing and show that its ability to promote civil peace depends in part on the resource distribution between the potential “spoilers.”