Politicized social cleavages

Definition

Politicized social cleavages refer to deep divisions within a society that are based on factors such as religion, ethnicity, class, or ideology. These divisions become politically significant when they are actively mobilized and exploited by different groups for political gain.

Related terms

Identity politics: Political strategies that focus on mobilizing support based on shared identities such as race, gender, or religion.

Ethnic conflict: Conflicts arising from differences in ethnic identity leading to tensions between different ethnic groups within a society.

Partisan polarization: The increasing divide between political parties with opposing views on issues leading to heightened ideological clashes.