Politics & Government
The Dynamics of Power-Sharing Agreements in Post-Conflict Societies
Quick fact
In Lebanon, power-sharing is written into the constitution through the National Pact of 1943, which reserves the presidency for a Maronite Christian, the premiership for a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament for a Shia Muslim—a formula that has persisted despite decades of civil war and regional upheaval.
Why this is interesting
After decades of civil war, countries like Bosnia and Lebanon manage to function because former enemies now share the same cabinet table. But how does that actually work, and why does it sometimes collapse?