Reinforcing Cleavages

Written By Jonathan Milner

Definition

Cleavages are divisions in politics. Cross-cutting cleavages are when differences (in race, class, religion, region) pull people in different political directions. Thus, in a society with cross-cutting cleavages, any political party might be made up of people of different races, socioeconomic groups, or religions. In a society with reinforcing cleavages there is really only one big inviolable dividing line that separates people into different parties. Thus. in a society with cross-cutting cleavages, political parties coincide (are the same as) the two big divisions. For example, parties could be divided between the Catholic and the Protestant Party; or the White Party and the non-White Party; or the Rural Party and the Urban Party. All the other demographic factors and divisions don’t matter, all that matters is which side of the line you are on in that one particular and reinforcing dividing line. Cross-cutting cleavages have long moderated party conflict in American politics (since both parties were mostly made up of people from various demographic groups. e.g. Black Democrats and White Democrats; Catholic Republicans and Protestant Republicans) and thereby contributed to democratic stability. Over recent decades, however, many of these cross-cutting cleavages have declined, sorting Americans into mutually antagonistic camps. America’s increasing reinforcing cleavages find up more divided by region (rural v. urban) and less politically stable than in the past.

Example

 
 

Questions

  1. What does political cleavage mean?

  2. What is an example of a political cleavage?

  3. What is cross-cutting cleavage?

  4. What is an example of a cross-cutting cleavage?

  5. What is reinforcing cleavage?

  6. What is an example of a reinforcing cleavage?

  7. What is the difference between a cross-cutting cleavage and a reinforcing cleavage?

  8. Which of these cleavages leads to more political stability?

  9. Is the United States more aptly characterized as full of reinforcing cleavages or cross-cutting cleavages?

  10. Is May Ninth by Khruangbin (below) more like a reinforcing or a cross-cutting song?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw Reinforcing Cleavages. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

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Jonathan Milner

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