Abstract
This contribution uses the example of South Tyrol to investigate whether or not consociational democracies favor the success of inter-group party politics over a longer period of time, and whether parties are rewarded or punished by the electorate for their inter-group policies. Northern Ireland serves as a comparative case study, as it also features a consociational democratic model as a solution to societal fragmentation, which in this case is characterized by religion. An analysis of the election results of inter-group parties, population
trends and election programs with regard to inter-group elements shows that there is growing support for inter-group issues, but that the ethnic or religious cleavage line remains highly relevant to the political agenda. In this context, the role of changing identities in the population, as well as events in the European context such as Brexit, can act as catalysts for change processes, and are of particular interest.