Les clivages sociaux et la paix démocratique

Abstract

This paper deals with the relationship between social cleavages and democratic peace. The issue is that of a lasting peace in a strongly divided society with a high potential for conflict. We first proceeded to a typology of the cleavages where it is observed a eurocentric character of the classical theory proposed by Seymour Martin Lipset and Stein Rokkan, which does not take into account the dynamics of cleavages outside the european context, in particular that of Africa. On this last aspect, we have shown that Africa presents a singularity, because contrary to the model of Rokkan and Lipset, the emergence of cleavages in Africa context was not linked to the emergence of the Nation-State, even if it carried on certain features a phenomenon of violence in its occurrence. In any case, whatever the nature of the cleavages, these infinite polarities always carry a potential for conflict that is mobilized by entrepreneurs in the political arena. In the end, we can manage this delicate question by opting for an inclusive democracy free of culturalist biases; so we have proposed the model of "group democracy" in social immersion that can meet this requirement. It is ultimately about recognizing the "democracy of others”.