#AP Comparative Government: Political and Social Cleavages Study Guide 🌍

Hey there! Let's dive into the world of political and social cleavages. This is a big topic, but we'll break it down to make sure you're totally ready for the exam. Think of this guide as your secret weapon for acing the test! 🚀

#Why Study Cleavages? 🤔

Understanding cleavages is like having a superpower for analyzing countries. These divisions shape how groups interact with their government, impacting everything from elections to long-term stability. It's all about power dynamics and how they play out in politics. Let's get started!

This is a high-value topic, as it appears in both MCQs and FRQs. Make sure you understand the different types of cleavages and how they impact the countries we study.

#3.8: Political and Social Cleavages

Let's nail down some key definitions:

• Cleavages: Internal divisions within a society based on things like class, ethnicity, religion, and territory. Think of them as the fault lines in a country's social and political landscape. 🏘️

• Coinciding Cleavages: When the same groups are always on opposite sides of every issue. This can lead to major conflicts! 💥

• Cross-Cutting Cleavages: When divisions split society into many groups that might disagree on one thing but agree on another. This tends to keep conflict more chill. 🧘

#Example: The United States 🇺🇸

• Social Cleavage: North vs. South (economics, social values).
• Political Cleavage: This has become politicized with Southern states generally voting Republican and Northern states generally voting Democratic. (Remember, this is a generalization and there are always exceptions!)

#Types of Demands from Cleavages

• Separatists ↔️: Groups that want to break away from the larger state. They feel their identity, culture, or interests aren't protected.
• Autonomy-seeking 👣: Groups that want more self-governance, ranging from more representation to separate governing bodies.
• Ethnic 👤: Divisions based on ethnicity. This can lead to tension if a group feels unrecognized or disrespected. These groups may be separatist or autonomy-seeking, depending on their goals.

#Country Cleavages: A Quick Tour 🗺️

Here’s a breakdown of cleavages in our core countries:

| Country | Social Cleavage and Example | Government Responses | Social Cleavage Impacts | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...