Factionalism

Factionalism, found in all subdivisions and at all levels of pre-industrial society, is the tendency of a society to be divided by caste or class cleavages, ethnic or religious distinctions, differences in cultural tradition or social pattern, kinship loyalties or regional identifications including linguistic nuances. These divisions tend to inhibit the development of a feeling of unity in the society and of identity among its members, and as a result the individual's sense of personal loyalty and duty may be limited to the members of a very narrow social environment, his family, clan, local community or other parochial circles and groupings. The normative pressures rooted in modern, factional environments may profoundly affect the conduct of the individual in external situations and relations. In particular, they may pose difficult problems for personnel recruitment and management in industrial or developmental undertakings.