Confessionalism (except in the Netherlands; see below) is a system of government that distributes political and institutional power proportionally among religious communities. Posts in government and seats in the legislature are apportioned amongst different groups according to the relative demographic composition of those groups in a society, which is seen as a way of formally recognizing the communal political rights of indigenous groups. Currently, the political system of Lebanon is modelled in such a way, and the term is usually associated with Lebanon^[1] (see National Pact).

Proponents of confessionalism^[who?] cite it as an effective way to secure the peaceful co-existence of diverse religious and ethnic communities by empowering each according to its "weight" in the region. However, critics point out that such a system may actually deepen conflict between ethnic groups. They argue that whichever group holds the most political power may use government to favour itself at the expense of other groups, or even to oppress rival groups. Also, as demographics change, the positions and power held by a particular group may no longer appropriately reflect the size of that group.

Debate over confessionalism raises similar issues to those facing consociationalism, of which confessionalism is one kind.

[edit] Meaning in the Netherlands

In the politics of the Netherlands the term "confessionalism" refers to any political ideology based on religion. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confessionele_partij

[edit] See also

• Consociationalism
• Politics of Lebanon

[edit] References

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