Question

Distinguish between overlapping and cross-cutting differences.

Answer 1

Hint: The situations where people are discriminated on the basis of economic, racial, and social inequality are referred to as Social differences. In other words, one culture, group, or class is given preference over another on the basis of their economic, racial, and social inequality. Social differences are of two types: cross-cutting social differences and overlapping social differences.

Complete answer:
Overlapping differences:
The social differences that overlap with other social differences are known as overlapping differences. It is a mixture of many social differences in which one social difference becomes the reason for the other social differences. A particular social difference becomes more powerful than the other, because these people may feel more connected to one group and isolated from the other groups, e.g. the difference between the black and white people (skin color) became a social division in the US as black people were usually homeless, unemployed and poor. Similarly, the Dalits (lower caste in India) are usually ignored by the upper castes and these groups tend to be landless, homeless and poor, etc. Thus, generally, people perceive that they belong to a particular language, race and community are different from others in the society and thus a difference is created between others and them that lead to an economic difference.
Cross-Cutting Social Differences:
The social differences in which one social difference is nullified by the other social difference are known as Cross-cutting social differences. In other words, social differences cut one another. The groups that share a common interest on one particular issue may be on different sides on a different issue. For example, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands are predominantly Christian countries but these countries are divided between Catholics and Protestants. In these types of social differences, there are few chances of conflict between the different groups of people as they may be on the same side on a different issue, but maybe on the opposite sides on an issue.

Note: There are many consequences of overlapping and cross-cutting differences. These social differences tend to divide society into various classes or groups or create social divisions. Social differences can affect politics as well. Political parties compete against each other in a democracy like India, to get votes from the people who belong to different communities.