Middle East shows that power sharing is better way to govern than majority rule

As the Middle East explodes, again, we should acknowledge that one of many causes lies in the ‘right of majority rule’. That which was a major cause of the Troubles is also problematic in Israel

After all, if the majority takes its own decisions by majority vote, then just as a half of a half is a quarter, so too, a majority of a majority is probably a minority: the DUP in Belfast, the Boris Johnson wing of the Tories, and so on.

True majority rule can only exist with consensus. In practice, if no party gets a majority of seats in Parliament, the biggest can ‘jump into bed’ with another and, as long as the two thus add up to at least 50% + 1, that pair can then rule.

Thus it was in Westminster when Theresa May’s Tories teamed up with the DUP... and hence Brexit. So too in Tel Aviv, where Likud joined the even more extremist Jewish Home, (for an overall majority of only one MP)... and hence, of course — the tail wagging the dog — settlements on the West Bank, and so on, drying the timbers which are now in flames.

If only Leinster House and Westminster had all-party power-sharing, at least they would practice that which they have long since been preaching. The Swiss do it fairly successfully. And if Israel had power-sharing, then the Arabs might also be in government.

Difficult? Yes of course. But jaw-jaw please; it’s always better than war.

Peter Emerson, The de Borda Institute, Belfast BT14

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor