The Alliance Model

The Alliance type of consociational party is made up of separate organizational entities that function as a unity in the context of competitive multi-party elections. The two cases that approximate this type most closely and give it its name are the Alliance, later National Front, in Malaysia and the Alliance Party in Fiji. This chapter describes party politics in Malaysia and Fiji, focusing on the organization and role of the respective consociational parties. The first aim is to assess the extent to which the Alliance/National Front and the Alliance Party in correspond to the ideal type of consociational party. In other words, to assess to what extent these parties provide for internal representation of communal diversity and ethnic accommodation. The second aim is to examine more closely how the internal organization of the Alliance type of consociational party affects these functions. The conclusion to this chapter will highlight similarities and differences between the two cases.