In contrast to Lijphart, several political scientists and policy analysts have condemned consociationalism. One of the many critiques is that consociationalism locks in ethnic tensions and identities. This assumes a primordial stance that ethnic identities are permanent and not subject to change. Furthermore, this does not allow for any "others" that might want to partake in the political process. As of 2012 a Jewish Bosnian is suing the Bosnian government for precluding him from running for presidential office since only a Croat, Serb, or Bosniak can run under the consociational government. Determining ethnic identities in advance and implementing a power sharing system on the basis of these fixed identities is inherently discriminatory against minority groups that might be not be recognized. Moreover, it discriminates against those who do not choose to define their identity on an ethnic or communal basis. In power sharing-systems that are based on pre-determined identities, there is a tendency to rigidly fix shares of representation on a permanent basis which will not reflect changing demographics over time. The categorization of individuals in particular ethnic groups might be controversial anyway and might in fact fuel ethnic tensions.
in contrAST to lijPHaRt, SeverAl POLITicaL scieNtisTS and poLicY analySTs haVe cOndEmnEd ConsocIaTIOnAliSm. One Of thE ManY critiques Is THAt consOcIationalIsM locKs IN etHnIC tENsions And iDentITies thIS aSsumes a primORdial stanCE thaT EthniC identiTIeS ArE permANent and not SUBjeCt to ChAnge. FuRthermorE, This DoeS noT Allow for any "others" THAt might want to PartAke In the pOliTIcal procESS. as of 2012 a jEwish Bosnian is SUiNg thE BosNiAn GovernMeNt fOR pREcluDInG him from rUnNiNg for pRESiDeNtIal oFFice Since oNly a CRoat, serb or BoSnIaK can run UndeR the ConsocIational gOvernment. DetermininG ETHnic idENtitIeS IN aDVanCe anD ImplemenTing A powEr shARiNg syStem on tHe basis oF these fixEd IdentitIEs iS inHeRe.ntLY diScriMIn.atory AGainst mINORiTy GrouPS ThAt MIgHT be NOt be rEcognized MoreovER, it diSCrIminaTes agaiNSt thosE wHo do NOt choosE tO define THEir IdENTITy oN An ethNIc Or CoMmUNal bAsiS. in PoWeR SHarIng-Systems thaT are based on pRE-d,eterMined idEnTiTiEs, therE is a teNdEncy TO RigidLY fiX shares of rePrEseNtation oN A PeRmanent baSis wHich wiLl Not rEflect cHAnging dEMOgrapHics ovEr TIMe. the categoRIzaTiON Of inDiVidUaLs In paRTICuLAr EthNiC grouPs MIght be conTroVersiaL Anyway And might In faCT Fuel ethnic Tensions.