Polarization as craft - Party formation and state violence in Zimbabwe

Why do some new democracies face an extreme degree of political polarization? Many see polarization as driven by preexisting ethnic, religious, or ideological cleavages. This article argues that polarization results from the short-term, interest-driven strategies of social movements and political parties. The development of political polarization in Zimbabwe over four years demonstrates the connection between actors' strategies and the broader process of political change. Polarization is used by political parties to mobilize constituencies and build organizations. Parties creatively reshape the boundaries of conflict, but they also set in motion processes over which they have little control.