Three Determinants

Three factors are critical in determining the result of social division politics:

• The outcome is determined by how people view their own identities. It becomes very tough to address if people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms. For example, people of India identify themselves as Indians as well as belonging to a certain state or a language group, or a social or religious community.
• It all depends on how political leaders elevate community needs. It is easier to meet demands that are constitutionally permissible and do not jeopardize the welfare of another group. It is easier to accommodate demands within the constitutional framework and is not at the disadvantage of another community.
• It depends on how the government responds to different groups’ requests. Attempts at forced integration often lead to the seeds of disintegration.

The political manifestation of socioeconomic divides is extremely common and can be healthy in a democracy. This allows socioeconomically disadvantaged and marginalized people to air their grievances and have them addressed by the government and ultimately strengthening democracy.

There is competition between political parties in politics. This competition could lead to political splits if these political parties utilize it to reinforce some societal divisions. This can result in conflict, violence, or even a country’s dissolution. Religious divisions in Northern Ireland, for example, have resulted in ethnopolitical strife. 

In the system of democracy, competition is involved among the various political parties. The competition among the parties tends to divide any society and they start competing in terms of social divisions already existing in society. This may lead to the turning of social divisions into political divisions, ultimately leading to conflict, violence, or even the disintegration of society. This has already happened in many countries.