Conceptualizing Asymmetric Consociations: Evidence from Bosnia and Herzegovina

This paper introduces a new concept: asymmetric consociation, which represents a diminished subtype of consociation. Both consociationalists and their critics thus far have not addressed the question of how to approach the differential access of dominant segments to the four consociational elements (grand coalition, segmental autonomy, mutual veto, and proportionality). When an ethnic group is denied access to at least one of the four fundamental consociational elements, this missing attribute produces an asymmetric situation between ethnic groups comprising a society. This paper examines the conditions necessary for the existence of asymmetric consociations, categorizing them into different types and poles. It differentiates between involuntary and voluntary asymmetric consociations. The former is not agreed upon by elites, but rather potentiated by external actors or dominant groups, and is conflict enhancing. The latter is mutually agreed upon by elites and fosters inter-group cooperation. The article examines and classifies the Bosniak-Croat Federation entity and Mostar as involuntary asymmetric consociations. It concludes that some of the conflicts generated are not a result of consociationalism as a prescription, but rather due to involuntary differential access to the four basic elements of consociation.