WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:05.740 The 1998 Belfast, or Good Friday, Agreement established a power sharing Assembly, 2 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:08.980 based on the main principles of consociational theory. 3 00:00:09.400 --> 00:00:15.740 The Dutch political scientist, Arend Lijphart, developed consociational theory in the 1960s. 4 00:00:16.740 --> 00:00:19.660 This theory focuses on how to stabilise communities 5 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:22.700 that are divided along ethnic or religious lines 6 00:00:22.700 --> 00:00:25.900 and develop democracy through power sharing institutions. 7 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:30.060 For this to happen, Lijphart suggests four main ingredients: 8 00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:31.680 Grand coalition, 9 00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:33.380 proportionality, 10 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:35.120 mutual veto, 11 00:00:35.120 --> 00:00:36.600 and segmented autonomy. 12 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:43.440 Executive power-sharing is at the heart of this consociational arrangement. 13 00:00:43.820 --> 00:00:47.900 The Executive Committee is made up of Unionist and Nationalist Ministers. 14 00:00:48.480 --> 00:00:52.260 After an election, the largest party chooses the First Minister 15 00:00:52.860 --> 00:00:57.140 and the largest party from the other community (either Nationalist or Unionist) 16 00:00:57.540 --> 00:00:59.460 chooses the Deputy First Minister. 17 00:01:00.220 --> 00:01:03.120 Both have equal powers, and make joint decisions. 18 00:01:05.100 --> 00:01:09.980 The Single Transferrable Vote (STV) system of proportional representation 19 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:12.200 is used to elect MLAs. 20 00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:17.740 The D’Hondt Formula is used to allocate ministers to the Executive 21 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:20.880 and Chairs and Deputy Chairs to the Committees. 22 00:01:21.720 --> 00:01:25.720 Membership of Committees is proportional to party strength in the Assembly. 23 00:01:26.340 --> 00:01:29.920 The D’Hondt system also influences speaking rights in the Chamber 24 00:01:30.260 --> 00:01:32.740 and the selection of Private Members' motions. 25 00:01:34.040 --> 00:01:37.520 Elected representatives are required to designate themselves 26 00:01:37.520 --> 00:01:40.200 Nationalist or Unionist, or Other. 27 00:01:40.780 --> 00:01:44.720 Cross-community voting procedures ensure protection of minorities. 28 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:49.000 Certain Assembly decisions require Cross-Community Support. 29 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:52.540 For example, election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers, 30 00:01:53.140 --> 00:01:56.040 budget allocations, and Petitions of Concern. 31 00:01:56.760 --> 00:02:00.040 Each community has some distinct measure of autonomy, 32 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:01.900 particularly in cultural issues, 33 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:05.800 for example, when developing Ulster Scots and the Irish language. 34 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:11.140 This consociational style of democracy is the subject of much debate. 35 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:15.580 While many believe that consociationalism entrenches division, 36 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:18.220 others argue that, over time, 37 00:02:18.220 --> 00:02:22.440 this power sharing model will reduce division and increase stability.