Abstract: Cultural and religious diversity does not inherently produce violent conflict. It is rather when identities are weaponized and coupled with collective grievances that conflict is most likely to occur. This article asks what causes cultural and religious polarization in contemporary conflicts and how such polarization can be understood in relation to conflict mediation. It seeks to target the social identity, collective victimhood and political mobilization theories, sacred values, intergroup animosity and distrust, and the mediation theories adapted to peace processes, in order to understand how polarization and division of
identity in conflict are created and nurtured. There are several factors that can contribute to polarization, including politicized…
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