ABSTRACT
The conclusion draws out the broader contributions of this book for consociational theory and practice. It addresses some of the key similarities and differences in the three case studies at the heart of the book; notably, the interplay of formal and informal institutional adaptations; the capacity and need for power-sharing structures to evolve over time in line with the degree of political space available; and the relationship between changes in the exogenous political context and endogenous dynamics of the power-sharing institutions and the political parties that operate them. We also explore the wider applicability of our findings, building on examples from the Middle East and elsewhere, with an emphasis on initiating a debate on post-conflict scenarios for Syria. We demonstrate how our comparison of Brussels, Northern Ireland and Cyprus provides a wide range of evidence-based prescriptions for emerging consociations and federations, as well as conflict mediations across the world.
