The Religious Question in Ireland, 1691–1871

2020 ◽  
pp. 184-186
Author(s):  
Cook Chris
Keyword(s):  
Religious Question

Cross-Cutting Cleavages and Social Conflict

1975 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 516-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Goodin
Keyword(s):  
Median Voter ◽  
Social Conflict ◽  
Electoral Competition ◽  
Socialist Party ◽  
Religious Question

Cross-cutting cleavages do seem to help moderate social conflict.1 This can be explained in either of two ways. One argument focuses on the logic of electoral competition. Where parties must appeal to an electorate with diverse tastes along many dimensions, politicians must take moderate positions (defined as near the median voter) in most dimensions of cleavage if they are to win. A socialist party which draws its support from both Protestants and Catholics cannot take extreme positions on the religious question without alienating potential supporters and jeopardizing its electoral chances.2

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