Facing diversity

Ethnic diversity can fragment political communities, since in every multi-ethnic state conflicts arise that cannot be solved through a majority decision-making process. The issue of diversity is not only one of human rights, but in most cases an issue concerning the state and the classic majority principle of modern democracy. It is indispensable for the functioning of the state that it be legitimate for all communities. Diversity can be upheld in fragmented societies only on the basis of a trust among the different communities, in state institutions, state leaders, and institutional forms of power sharing. Federalism, regionalism, constitutions, governmental and electoral systems are institutions through which minorities and the majority are accepted as equal parts of the state and feel represented and protected, with consensus-driven democracy promoting diversity. Citizens' rights can promote diversity through affirmative action, through the'state-action doctrine', and through collective rights when an effective court system exists. The international community increasingly claims the right to enforce minority rights based on international law. However there is no known case until now, where the international community has succeeded in upholding existing diversity constituent by enforcement

Affirmative action · Democracy · Diversity (politics) · Enforcement · Federalism · Human rights · International community · Law and economics · Minority rights · Political science · Politics · Sociology · State (computer science) · European and International Law Studies · Law · Minority Rights and Languages · Political Systems and Governance · Public Administration