Glossary
Autonomy-seeking
Groups that desire greater self-governance or more representation within an existing state, without necessarily seeking full independence.
Example:
Indigenous communities in many countries are often autonomy-seeking, advocating for more control over their traditional lands, resources, and cultural practices within the framework of the national government.
Cleavages
Internal divisions within a society based on various factors like class, ethnicity, religion, or territory.
Example:
In Nigeria, the significant religious and ethnic cleavages between the predominantly Muslim North and Christian South often influence political alliances and electoral outcomes.
Coinciding Cleavages
When the same groups in a society are consistently on opposing sides across multiple issues or divisions.
Example:
If a country's wealthy urban population consistently votes for one party, while its rural poor consistently votes for another, and these groups also align on religious and ethnic lines, this would represent coinciding cleavages.
Cross-Cutting Cleavages
When divisions in society split groups in different ways, meaning individuals may agree with some people on one issue but disagree with them on another.
Example:
In a country where urban dwellers might be divided by religion, and religious groups might be divided by economic class, these cross-cutting cleavages can help prevent deep, intractable conflicts by fostering broader coalitions.
Ethnic Cleavage
A division within society based on shared cultural heritage, language, religion, or ancestry.
Example:
The Hutu and Tutsi divisions in Rwanda illustrate a profound ethnic cleavage that, when politicized, led to devastating conflict.
Political Cleavage
A social cleavage that has become politicized, influencing political culture, behavior, and values, often leading to tensions and conflicts.
Example:
When the social cleavage between urban and rural populations translates into distinct voting patterns and policy preferences championed by different political parties, it becomes a political cleavage.
Separatists
Groups that seek to break away from a larger state to form their own independent state.
Example:
The Basque Country in Spain has a history of separatists who desire full independence from the Spanish state, often citing distinct cultural and linguistic identities.
Social Cleavage
An internal division within a society based on shared characteristics such as class, ethnicity, religion, or territory.
Example:
The historical division between the industrial working class and the capitalist owners in many European nations represents a significant social cleavage based on economic class.