Question

different between cross cutting and over lapping

Answer 1

Overlapping and Cross-cutting are two types of Social Differences.

Overlapping

• Social Division takes place when some social difference overlaps with other differences.

• Conditions of this kind present social divisions when one kind of social difference becomes more prominent than the other and the People generate a feeling that they belong to different communities.

• Overlapping social differences create circumstances of deep social divisions and pressures.

• Example: The difference between the Blacks and the Whites becomes a social division in the US because the Blacks tend to be poor, homeless, and discriminated against.

Cross-Cutting

• When Social differences cross cut one another, (for example class and religion) it is difficult to pit one group of people against another group.

• These groups share a common interest focused on one issue, but they are likely to be on opposing sides regarding a different issue.

• Cross-cutting social differences are easier to accommodate and cause less infliction compared to Overlapping social differences.

• Here we take the example of Catholics and Protestants in the Netherlands and Northern Ireland. In The Netherlands, class, and religion tend to cross-cut one another and the Catholics and Protestants seem to be equally poor or wealthy. But in Northern Ireland, Protestants are likely to live a better off life, rich and with adequate facilities whereas the Catholics are likely the ones to be living poor and suffer from discrimination. The result is that The Catholics and Protestants had to have conflicts in the Netherlands, while they don't have so in Northern Ireland.