This book evaluates the performance of consociational power-sharing arrangements in Europe by addressing two key questions: First, under what conditions do consociational arrangements come in and out of being? And second, how do consociational arrangements work in practice and how do they mediate potential deadlock between power-sharing partners? The volume assesses core aspects of power-sharing theory and practice through a collection of case studies drawn from across the European continent. Chapters cover those countries which were early adopters of consociationalism but which have since moved on to other institutional designs (the Netherlands, Austria), early adopters which continue to use consociational processes to manage their differences (Belgium, Switzerland, South Tyrol), and 'new wave' cases where consociationalism was adopted after violent internal conflict (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland). The book also examines cases of unresolved conflict and consider to what extent consociationalism can help mediate their ongoing divisions (Cyprus, Spain).

Chapter 1. Power-Sharing in Europe: From Adoptability to End-ability (Allison McCulloch ).- Chapter 2. Consociationalism in the Netherlands: Pillar Talk and Polder Politics (Matthijs Bogaards).- Chapter 3. Power-Sharing in Austria: Consociationalism, Corporatism, and Federalism (Peter Bussjaeger and Mirella M. Johler).- Chapter 4. The Politics of Compromise: Institutions and Actors of Power-Sharing in Switzerland (Sean Mueller).- Chapter 5. Power-Sharing in Belgium: The Disintegrative Model (Patricia Popelier).- Chapter 6. Power-Sharing and Party Politics in the Balkans (John Hulsey and Soeren Keil).- Chapter 7. Towards Inclusive Power-Sharing in Northern Ireland: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back (Cera Murtagh).- Chapter 8. South Tyrol's Model of Conflict Resolution: Territorial Autonomy and Power-Sharing (Elisabeth Alber.)- Chapter 9. A Consociational Compromise? Constitutional Evolution in Spain and Catalonia (Paul Anderson).- Chapter 10. Why Has Cyprus Been a Consociational Cemetery? (John McGarry).- Chapter 11. Conclusion (Soeren Keil and Allison McCulloch).