Investigating the Factors Affecting Political Violence with Emphasis on Ethnic Cleavage in West Azerbaijan Province

Abstract

Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting political violence with an emphasis on ethnic cleavage in West Azarbaijan province. In the present study, some of the theories of Bart, Cornell and Hartmann, Wimmer, Fenton, Burton, Smelser, Acclaef, Halbwachs, Habermas have been used.Methods: This descriptive study was a descriptive survey that was carried out by cluster sampling and a researcher-made questionnaire on 384 citizens of West Azarbaijan province . In order to test the research hypotheses, Pearson correlation coefficient,Anova, multiple regression analysis were used. Reliability of the questionnaire based on Cronbach's alpha (political violence 0.82, , ethnic cleavage 0.81, citizenship weakness 0.85, ethnic power relations 0.76, discrimination 0.89, ethnic voting pattern 0.80, Identity tolerance weakness (0.71) and construct validity and factor analysis technique were used for validity.Results: Data analysis of this survey showed that there was a direct and significant relationship between ethnic cleavage and its dimensions (ethnic denial, ethnic distance, ethnic boundary making) citizenship weakness, discrimination, ethnic voting patterns, ethnic power relations and Identity tolerance weakness with political violence. The tendency for political violence varies among respondents according to their age group. The results of multiple regression and path analysis show that the variables of ethnic voting pattern, ethnic cleavage, ethnic power relations, weak citizenship, discrimination and Identity tolerance weakness influence political violence with 29.1% of the variance in ethnic violence being explained and predicted by independent variables.