Social Conflict and Cohesion in Plural Societies Under Normative Social Mechanisms
Kata Kunci:
plural societies, social conflict, social cohesion, procedural justice, mediation, group boundaries, public ethicsAbstrak
This article develops a normative account of social conflict and social cohesion in plural societies. It explains how ethnic, religious, and interest based divisions can become sources of contestation when group boundaries are treated as moral absolutes, when access to resources is unequal, and when public recognition is distributed selectively. The discussion distinguishes everyday disagreement from escalatory conflict by focusing on meaning making, institutional trust, and the ethics of public speech. Cohesion is framed as an ongoing social achievement sustained by fair rules, credible mediation, cross group communication, and shared civic obligations. Particular attention is given to how narratives of victimhood and purity can narrow deliberation, while inclusive civic language can widen it without erasing difference. The paper proposes a conceptual framework linking three elements: boundary governance, procedural justice, and relational repair after episodes of hostility. The central claim is that durable cohesion requires protecting equal dignity, ensuring transparent decision procedures, and maintaining channels for grievance expression that do not reward intimidation. By articulating these conditions, the article clarifies why pluralism can remain peaceful when institutions nurture reciprocity and when leaders discourage categorical blame and collective punishment.
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