2011/01/01 by Bertrand Badie, Dirk Berg-Schlosser, Leonardo Morlino · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Religion and Society Interactions #Political Conflict and Governance #Peacebuilding and International Security
paper · doi:10.4135/9781412994163
openalex publication_date 2011/01/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
The term cleavage identifies social and political divisions characterized by a close connection between individuals' positioning in the social stratification system, their beliefs and normative orientations, and their behavioral patterns. This close connection contributes to the resilience and stability of cleavages over time. In this entry, the constitutive elements of this concept are discussed and brought into a coherent overall framework that helps illuminate the political relevance of such cleavages.