Identity, Cultural differences and the Problem of Conflicts between Groups

Abstract

The subject-matter of the paper is antagonism due to cultural differences between collective identities, and not a conflict due to competition of interests. The inter-group opposition may be of a twofold character: defensive (characterized by hostility) or offensive (characterized by pragmatic egoism). The mechanism that governs the building up of hostile antagonism embraces several stages: a) avoidance of social communication, b) aversion as a negative assessment of opponents’ emotions and values, c) hateful fights, and d) revenge. They should be should be prevented by the removal of barriers which make a wider social solidarity impossible.