Polarisation and social cohesion

Polarisation and social cohesion

Defining a complex term with as many nuances as ‘polarisation’ is not easy, especially considering that one of the most extensive causes of polarisation is the oversimplification of reality, leading to a confrontation based on a lack of mutual understanding. After all, the notion of democracy presupposes a society characterised by differences and conflicting interests. The term polarisation does not refer to political, social, cultural and religious diversity and pluralism as such, but to a growing fragmentation of society into antagonist collectives perceived as opponents on existential questions over the future of society.5 While democracy is built on shared values and principles and, ideally, social bonds, polarisation relates to a social and political fragmentation that questions these common ‘building blocks’. Under the BRIDGE project, the term polarisation is used according to the following working definition elaborated by the project’s consortium: a growing fragmentation of society into antagonistic collectives perceived as opponents in existential questions over a common future. It is characterised by sharpened forms of ‘us-and-them’ thinking and ‘othering’ and by the absence of dialogue. Polarisation can facilitate a community’s, group’s or individual's shift toward radicalisation, violence and crime, while its mitigation will increase social cohesion, resilience and democratic progress. Social cohesion refers to the presence of social bonds: it holds society together through trust, reciprocity and solidarity. A society might have some form of polarisation and at the same time a degree of social cohesion. For example, there might be a strongly polarised and divided political landscape, with political groups neglecting to share common ground, within an overall cohesive society and a general consensus on the norms and values of the democratic system. Although the link

5- As an example: Switzerland is a decentralised country characterised by the existence of three main groups, each with their own language – French, German and Italian – which is reflected in the political and territorial structure. Despite substantial differences, all groups consider themselves to be equal parts of Swiss society. While polarisation has risen in Switzerland recently around questions of immigration and the public visibility of Muslim religious symbols, Swiss multilingualism can be seen as an example of a public policy that accommodates diversity and pluralism and does not breed fragmentation and polarisation.