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Democratizing the Hegemonic State

Political Transformation in the Age of Identity

Ilan Peleg author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:23rd Jul '07

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Democratizing the Hegemonic State cover

This book provides a new, comprehensive framework for the examination of majority-minority relations.

This book provides a new, comprehensive framework for the examination of majority-minority relations in deeply divided societies. Through an examination of 14 countries, Peleg argues that hegemonic states in which one ethnic group dominates all others face increasing pressures to transform by the emerging global governing code of democracy and equal rights.This book provides a new, comprehensive analytical framework for the examination of majority-minority relations in deeply divided societies. Hegemonic states in which one ethnic group completely dominates all others will continue to face enormous pressures to transform because they are out of step with the new, emerging, global governing code that emphasizes democracy and equal rights. Refusal to change would lead such states to lose international legitimacy and face increasing civil strife, instability, and violence. Through systematic theoretical analysis and careful empirical study of 14 key cases, Peleg examines the options open to polities with diverse populations. Challenging the conventional wisdom of many liberal democrats, Peleg maintains that the preferred solution for a traditional hegemonic polity is not merely to grant equal rights to individuals, but also to incorporate significant group rights via mega-constitutional transformation.

'This book contributes to our current understanding of democratisation in the context of ethnic politics. … [it] is a book well worth reading and should be required of any student of ethnic politics and ethnic conflict.' John Ishiyama, Journal of Politics
'Peleg suggests some ways forward; his book is the product of exceptionally wide reading in support of careful analytical thinking, and it deserves attention.' Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics

ISBN: 9780521707329

Dimensions: 234mm x 156mm x 14mm

Weight: 360g

250 pages