ABSTRACT
A considerable literature has grown up in the past decade or so on the problem of establishing stable liberal-democratic institutions in deeply divided societies, whether these divisions are religious, racial, ethnic or ideological in nature. The failure of majoritarian systems in many parts of the world has stimulated an interest in other forms of democracy. Of particular relevance to divided societies is the consociational model of democracy that has been developed by the Dutch political scientist, Arend Lijphart. On any reasonable assessment of trends in black opinion, the numerical preponderance of blacks under universal suffrage would give rise to majority support for African nationalist parties under practically any constitutional arrangements able to satisfy the requirements of a liberal democracy. Resentment at the political demands being made on the subordinate community tends to outweigh any appreciation of the amelioration of that community’s social and economic position.
