Question

When does a social difference become a social division?

Answer 1

• When other differences overlap with social differences, then it leads to social division.
• Social divisions are not created by each and every social difference.
• Social differences can unite different people as well as divide similar people.
• Cutting across the boundaries of groups, people among different social groups do share similarities and differences.
• In the US, the differences between Whites and Blacks have become a social division since the blacks face discrimination, they are homeless and tend to be poor.
• In India, Dalits face injustice, discrimination and they tend to be landless and poor.
• Social divisions arise when people start feeling that they belong to different communities, as one type of social difference takes precedence over other differences.
• Tensions and deep social divisions are possibly created when the social differences are overlapping.
• It is easier to accommodate social differences that are cross-cutting.
• In most of the countries one or the other kind of social divisions exists.
• Irrespective of the size of the country whether big or small, social divisions exist. Belgium has many communities although it is a small country, India is a large country and has many communities.