Social differences due to differences in culture, race, ethnicity, gender, etc. have a major impact on political participation and association. From a classical economics point of view of the scarcity of resources and the continuous fight among people for gaining control over this scarce resource, groups in form of gender, race, color, ethnicity are formed that helps in the creation of the social ‘others’. Therefore, the struggle for the material constraints helps in the creation of the differences and brings in the space for the struggle between these diverse groups.
For instance, ethnicity is a construct of power. It cannot exist in isolation. There must be at least more than one ethnicity that is defined against one another. Therefore, arises a dominant and the other subservient group, where the former is in control over the other. This existence of power helps in the creation of politics in the existence of differences (Wilmsen & McAllister, 1996). Similarly, in case of differences based on race, color, gender, or religion, the element of difference arises in the creation of power and the desire to dominate the subservient.
The dominant group exercises their power to gain more power and control and therefore restores politics. It must be noted that social difference arises and exists only in the case of the establishment of the “other”. Identity created among the groups creates social differences with the other groups, thus, creating a social identity different from the others. The politics of social difference is the politics of marginality. Therefore, the politics of social differences dwell on this weakness of marginality.
The politics of marginality appears to become a strength in the case of certain courtiers like Afrikaner in South Africa and Ashkenazim in Israel where this social marginalization has been turned into political strength. Politics of social difference arises out of marginalization and creation of the ‘other’ wherein this difference with the others is used as the crux for identity creation and differential politics.
Reference
Wilmsen, E. N., & McAllister, P. (1996). The politics of difference: ethnic premises in a world of power. London: University of Chicago Press.