SBoP W4 Structural DIfferences and Social Cleavages

Combination of lecture notes and literature review

Social Cleavages

• Divisions within society based on social, economic, or political factors

• Factors include: social class, religion, ethnicity, gender, or regional identity

• Play a significant role in shaping voting behavior and party systems in electoral politics

Full social cleavage (a specific type of social cleavage)

Characterized by 3 elements:

• Structural difference: differences in social structures (income, edu) which affect chances and opportunities of individuals and can contribute to social inequality

• Institutional difference: differences in formal organizations and institutions (political parties, trade unions) that can affect the values, beliefs and behaviors of individuals. Can contribute to social fragmentation and dislocation

• Attitudinal difference: differences in individuals’ attitudes, values, and beliefs (political ideology, moral values). Can contribute to social diversity/heterogeneity

Collective/group consciousness

Shared beliefs, values, and norms that exist within a society/social group

• Sense of belonging and identification with group

• Can affect behaviors and attitudes

  • Shared attitudes (esp. economic interest) contribute to age-based conflict

• High consciousness → strenghtens age-based conflict

• Results from intense cultural work (social context: political parties, media)

Age cleavage (new cleavage)

• Separation of individuals into different age groups

• This can lead to age-based conflict and competition

  • Shaped by differences in resources, values, and interests between age groups

• Group consciousness can strengthen this conflict

Age integration theory

• A social structure that does not use chronological age as a criterion

  • Opposes age cleavage by promoting intergenerational interaction and cooperation

  • Can be used to overcome age cleavage

Individualization

• transformation of traditional social structures and institutions

• liberates individuals from traditional roles and constraints

  • Three aspects: detraditionalization, emancipation, heterogenization

Decentralization (Individualization)

• The process by which individuals and societies become less attached to traditional social structures and institutions (family, religion, political parties)

  • Consequence of indiivualization: individuals more autonomous & less constrained by traditional norms and values

  • Can have positive and negative consequences: greater freedom and diversity versus social fragmentation and dislocation

Emancipation (Individualization)

• The process by which individuals gain greater freedom and autonomy (particularly concerning gender, and sexuality)

  • A positive consequence of individualization

  • Also contested: leads to new forms of inequality and oppression

Heterogenization (Individualization)

• The process by which societies bcome more diverse and fragmented, as individuals pursue different lifestyles, values and identities

  • Positive/negative: greater creativity and innovation, but also social conflict and polarization

Educational cleavage

• conflict between groups based on education

• no full cleavage (no political party representing/mobilizing educational groups

• Likely?

  • Yes: potential for such a conflict (realistic group conflict model)

    • But.. lack of political mobilization and individualism make it unlikely that there is a full-fledged educational cleavage

Institutional theory

Objective differences between groups can lead to the development of a group consciousness

Realistic Group Conflict Theory

• Intergroup conflict arises when groups compete over scarce resources

  • Competition leads to negative attitudes and behavior towards “outgroups” (antagonistic)

    • E.g. large and growing differences in living conditions, preferences, and opinions between groups

Social Identity Theory

• Individuals are motivated to construct a positive social identity which involves comparing their group favorably to other groups