Welcome to Topic 3.8: Political and Social Cleavages!
In this chapter, we are going to look at the "social fault lines" that exist within countries. Just like tectonic plates can shift and cause earthquakes, cleavages are the divisions within a society that can lead to political "tremors" or even total shifts in how a government works. Understanding these divisions is key to understanding why people vote the way they do and why some countries experience more conflict than others.
What is a Political or Social Cleavage?
A cleavage is a internal division that structures a society. These aren't just random differences between people; they are deep-seated divisions that often pull people into opposing political camps. Think of it as a "line in the sand" that separates groups based on who they are, where they live, or what they believe.
Quick Note: This chapter focuses on identifying these cleavages. To see how governments actually handle the problems these cleavages cause, check out Section 3.9: Challenges from Political and Social Cleavages.
The Four Main Types of Cleavages
While every country is unique, most cleavages fall into these four categories:
1. Ethnic Cleavages: Divisions based on different cultural identities, languages, or historical backgrounds. (Example: Different ethnic groups living within the same borders.)
2. Religious Cleavages: Divisions between different faiths (e.g., Christians vs. Muslims) or different branches of the same faith (e.g., Catholics vs. Protestants).
3. Regional Cleavages: Divisions based on geography. Often, one part of a country feels ignored or treated differently than another part (e.g., North vs. South).
4. Class Cleavages: Divisions based on economics, such as wealth, income, or occupation (e.g., the rich vs. the poor, or urban workers vs. rural farmers).
Analogy: Imagine a school divided into "jocks" and "theater kids." That is a social cleavage. If the school starts making rules that only benefit the jocks, that social cleavage becomes a political cleavage.
Cleavages in the Six Course Countries
The AP exam requires you to know the specific cleavages found in our six core countries. Let’s break them down!
1. China (People's Republic of China)
The biggest cleavage in China today is Class and Economic. Specifically, there is a massive gap between urban (city) and rural (countryside) populations.
• The Shift: China has been shifting its emphasis away from agriculture toward industrialization and technology.
• The Result: People in the cities have seen their wealth explode, while many in rural areas feel left behind. This creates tension over who benefits from China's rapid economic growth.
2. Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran)
Iran faces deep Religious and Ideological cleavages.
• Theocracy vs. Reform: There is a division between those who support strict theocratic rule (government based on Islamic law/Sharia) and those who are reform-minded and want more democratic features.
• Gender: There is a significant social cleavage regarding gender rules. This includes disputes about female access to certain parts of society and restrictive voting or social regulations.
3. Mexico (United Mexican States)
Mexico's most prominent cleavage is Regional.
• North vs. South: The North is generally wealthier and more industrialized (partly due to trade deals like NAFTA). The South is more rural, poorer, and has a higher population of indigenous people.
• Evidence: The Zapatista (Chiapas) uprising was a direct response to these regional and ethnic inequalities.
4. Nigeria (Federal Republic of Nigeria)
Nigeria is often called a "deeply divided state" because it has Ethnic, Religious, AND Regional cleavages that all overlap.
• The North/South Divide: The North is predominantly Muslim, while the South is predominantly Christian.
• Militant Movements: In the North, groups like Boko Haram have campaigned violently to establish an Islamic state, which deepens the religious and regional divide.
• Ethnic Groups: Nigeria has hundreds of ethnic groups, which is why they use ethnic quotas in the government to try to keep everyone represented.
5. Russia (Russian Federation)
Russia deals primarily with Ethnic cleavages.
• The Majority: Most citizens are ethnic Russians who typically identify with the Russian Orthodox church.
• The Minority: There are significant non-Russian minority populations. These groups often have different religions or languages, and tensions between them and the central government can lead to protests or instability.
6. United Kingdom
The UK’s primary cleavage is Regional/National.
• The Four Nations: The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Devolution: To keep the country stable, the UK government used devolution—giving some powers to regional parliaments (like the Scottish Parliament). This allows different regions to feel they have a say in their own affairs without leaving the UK entirely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Thinking cleavages are always bad.
Reality: Cleavages are a natural part of every society. They only become "dangerous" to stability if the government ignores one group entirely or if the groups start to hate one another.
Mistake 2: Confusing "State" and "Nation."
Reality: In countries like Nigeria or the UK, there are multiple nations (groups of people with a shared culture) living within one state (the political entity). This is often the source of ethnic or regional cleavages.
Quick Review Box
China: Urban vs. Rural (Class/Economic).
Iran: Theocracy vs. Reformers; Gender rules (Religious/Social).
Mexico: North vs. South (Regional/Economic).
Nigeria: Muslim North vs. Christian South (Religious/Regional/Ethnic).
Russia: Ethnic Russians vs. Non-Russian minorities (Ethnic).
United Kingdom: England vs. Scotland/Wales/Northern Ireland (Regional).
Key Takeaway
Cleavages are the social "maps" of a country. By knowing where the lines are drawn—whether by religion, ethnicity, region, or class—you can predict where political conflict is likely to happen and how a government might try to maintain its legitimacy and stability.