Outbidding is context dependent and can phase-shift toward moderation after in-group victory

Evidence

While the case of the DUP is useful in fleshing out a nascent theory of outbidding, it is worth noting that outbidding is context dependent. Northern Ireland’s party political structure and the nature of the peace process as managed by the British and Irish governments gave outbidding in Northern Ireland a very peculiar flavour that may not necessarily be replicated elsewhere. Yet the case is useful in illustrating the nuances of outbidding, especially in a protracted peace process. The DUP modulated the intensity and objectives of their outbidding activity at different stages of the peace process and post-peace accord period. Ultimately, strong opposition to the peace process gave way to a more moderate stance, but only after outbidding had helped comprehensively defeat their in-group electoral rivals. — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 69

Categorization

• XREF: This is the load-bearing comparative point for the Kenya/Zambia test: the DUP modulated outbidding intensity over stages, suggesting outbidding trajectories may be regime- and process-dependent rather than constant. — connects to: Credibility disputes over rivals’ bids shape outbidding outcomes. — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 36; Ethnic outbidding intensity fluctuates over a peace process’s timeline, not continuously — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 45; Outbidding can backfire by strengthening moderates or branding challengers as spoilers — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 68 (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• Centralized party structures enable disciplined and nuanced outbidding strategies #expands (0.80) — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 96
• Ideologies and situations jointly trigger perceived group competition, requiring an outgroup #expands (0.78) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1497
• Groups respond to perceived competition through outgroup derogation, ingroup enhancement, and status-quo-preserving discrimination #qualifies (0.75) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1509
• Outgroups become competitors only when capable of changing the status quo #qualifies (0.70)