Comparative Case Study: South Africa and Spain

Identity is strongly intertwined with civil conflicts, however, does the polarization of identity divisions lead to civil conflict? Additionally, which mechanisms are crucial to identity dichotomization? To dissect and answer these questions, this comparative case study examines conflicts within South Africa and Spain with a concentrated focus on the socio-economic, political, and colonial mechanisms which are activated to polarize identity divisions prior to conflict. Within this paper I will argue that the cleavages within these three mechanisms are crucial to identity development, and when activated, cause violence. Through examination of South Africa and Spain’s different processes, yet similar foundations of socio-economic structures, political influence, and presence of colonialism, this paper will demonstrate the causal relationship between identity polarization and political violence.