Alternatives in Mobilization: Ethnicity, Religion, and Political Conflict

Identity cleavage, whether ethnic or religious, is mobilized in political contestation by variation in relative group size and intersection of cleavages. This theory is tested cross-nationally on identity mobilization in civil war and across violent conflict in Pakistan, Uganda, Nepal, and Turkey, and peaceful electoral politics in Indonesia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In contrast to the common assumption that the most intense conflicts arise when identities are completely divided, the majority of identity disputes worldwide occur between ethnic groups that share a common religion. Alternatives in Mobilization, a book that builds on the existing literature on political demography, seeks to address this seeming contradiction. The book proposes that the variation in relative group size and the intersection of cleavages play a significant role in determining the mobilization of identity across different types of political settings, including transgressive and contained conflicts.

To test this theory, the book conducts cross-national research on identity mobilization in civil wars and across violent conflicts in Pakistan, Uganda, Nepal, and Turkey, as well as peaceful electoral politics in Indonesia. By examining these diverse cases, the book aims to provide a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the complex relationship between identity, ethnicity, and religion in political contestation.

One of the key findings of Alternatives in Mobilization is that the mobilization of identity is not always predictable or straightforward. The book challenges the notion that identity cleavage, such as ethnicity or religion, is always the primary factor that drives conflict. Instead, it suggests that a range of factors, including historical legacies, social structures, political institutions, and economic resources, can influence the mobilization of identity.

For example, in some cases, ethnic groups that share a common religion may mobilize against each other due to historical grievances, such as past discrimination or territorial disputes. In other cases, religious differences may be used as a tool by political actors to gain support and consolidate power, leading to conflicts that transcend ethnic boundaries.

The book also highlights the importance of intersectionality in understanding the mobilization of identity. Identity is not a singular or fixed phenomenon, but rather a complex and multifaceted construct that is shaped by a range of factors, including gender, class, age, and sexuality. When multiple identity cleavages intersect, such as when women mobilize against gender-based violence or when ethnic minorities mobilize against discrimination, the potential for conflict and mobilization is increased.

In conclusion, Alternatives in Mobilization offers a valuable contribution to the literature on identity, ethnicity, and religion in political contestation. By challenging the assumption that identity cleavage is always the primary factor driving conflict, the book provides a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics that shape identity mobilization. The book's findings have important implications for policymakers, researchers, and activists working to promote peace and stability in conflict-ridden regions of the world.

Weight: 622g
Dimension: 157 x 237 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108419840