Societies promoting equal opportunity paradoxically generate more intergroup competition and animosity.

Evidence

Prevailing ideologies and social structures can aggravate competition, Allport argued. In particular, he suggested that in social contexts in which equality of opportunity is prized and social mobility is encouraged, perceived competition is likely. Allport (1954/1979) wrote, “But, when men [sic] are viewed as potentially equal, and by national creed are guaranteed equal rights and equal opportunity … members of even the lowest group are encouraged to put forth effort, to rise, and to demand their rights” (p. 222). Allowance, or encouragement, of upward social mobility makes evident the possibility of downward mobility, which, in the presence of a visually salient outgroup, generates competition and animosity. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1479 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Prevailing ideologies and social structures can aggravate competition, Allport argued. In particular, he suggested that in social contexts in which equality of opportunity is prized and social mobility is encouraged, perceived competition is likely. Allport (1954/1979) wrote, “But, when men [sic] are viewed as potentially equal, and by national creed are guaranteed equal rights and equal opportunity … members of even the lowest group are encouraged to put forth effort, to rise, and to demand their rights” (p. 222). Allowance, or encouragement, of upward social mobility makes evident the possibility of downward mobility, which, in the presence of a visually salient outgroup, generates competition and animosity. Although Allport acknowledged that there are contexts in which oppression is stable and institutionalized (see Jackman, ch. 6 this volume), and that in these contexts subtle forms of prejudice arise as justifications of inequality (see Jost & Hamilton, ch. 13 this volume), his emphasis was clearly on the active, overt animosity that follows mobilization and change in an open society that prizes freedom. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1479 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Intergroup competition selects prosocial norms that can simultaneously dehumanize outsiders. — Joseph Henrich, The Secret of Our Success: How Culture…, 558; Believing in equal opportunity lets advantaged groups justify status inequality and avoid collective guilt. — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt: International…, 202; Societies sharing identical technology and environment can diverge sharply in social organization. — Joe Henrich and Robert Boyd, The Evolution of Conformist…, 107 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Societies that prize equal opportunity and mobility breed intergroup competition and animosity #corroborates (1.00) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1479
• Open societies with mobility paradoxically breed more intergroup animosity #corroborates (1.00) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1479