Government Policies, New Voter Coalitions, and the Emergence of Ethnic Dimension in Party Systems

Abstract Conventional theories of ethnic politics argue that political entrepreneurs form parties where there is diversity. Yet empirical research finds diversity a weak predictor for the success parties. When does ethnicity become major element party competition? Scholars have explained emergence an dimension in systems as result institutions, mass organizations, and elite initiatives. But these factors can evolve response to emerging coalition voters. The author advances new theory: cleavages emerge when voters seek parliamentary opposition government policies create grievances along identities. theory tested on rare cases Prussia between 1848 1874 aggrieved Catholics but were not based existing or initiated by encourage competition. Using process tracing, case comparisons, statistical analysis electoral returns, shows voted together policies, regardless actions entrepreneurs. In contrast, neutral Catholics, Catholic dissolved.