Comparative Study between Overlapping and Cross-cutting Social Differences Overlapping and cross-cutting differences are the situation which determine social divisions.
| Overlapping Differences |
Cross-cutting Differences |
| (a) In the overlapping social differences, social division takes place when some social differences overlap other differences. |
(a) In cross-cutting social differences, social division takes place when differences cross-cut one another, hence it is difficult to compete one group of people against the other |
| (b) The situation of overlapping differences produces a kind of social division in which one kind of social difference becomes more important than the other and people start feeling that they belong to different communities. |
(b) The situation of cross-cut differences signifies those groups that share a common interest on one issue are likely to be in different sides on a different issue. |
| (c) Overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. |
(c) Cross-cutting social differences are easier to accommodate. |
| (d) For example, the difference between Blacks and Whites becomes a social division in the USA because the Blacks tend to be poor, homeless and discriminated against. |
(d) For example, the case of Netherlands suits the cross-cutting social differences. Here, class and religion tend to cut-cross each other. Hence, society got divided between Catholics and Protestants. |
