ABSTRACT
In the former, the power-sharing principle is evident only in the electoral rules for the office of the president. Meanwhile, in the latter case, power-sharing has permitted representatives from both the British unionist and Irish nationalist groups to participate in the executive and to seek proportional representation of their respective communities in key political institutions, from the legislature to the police service. Democratic power-sharing is premised on the notion that some form of joint decision-making between the major social segments in a divided society represents the best prospect for achieving political stability. Indirect power-sharing is intended to make political decision-making broadly-based, even if sometimes the minority's share of power is found in the guise of political influence on decision-making rather than in political representation. Some scholars, notably Lijphart, appear keen on equating only consociation with power-sharing. Nigeria's Second Republic suggests some potential for centripetal stability albeit only briefly and only with military backing.
