Paper short abstract:

This paper considers three contexts of othering in which similarities or differences between people are amplified to a point of justifying their exclusion or inclusion in political processes.

Paper long abstract:

There are several different kinds of othering, but the basic process

involves a reduction of perceptions of similarity to the point where

violent action against persons appears justified. Further, there are

different kinds of violence, from psychological intimidation to physical

killing. Othering is a persistent factor in political activity from the

micro to the macros-levels. In this paper we look at three very different

contexts which all contain marked elements of othering , hand in hand with

the construction of similarity. One context has to do with clan politics

and witchcraft in Papua New Guinea. Another has to do with small group

dynamics in which a combination of closed factions within a larger

sub-group can function to .other. anyone left out from the faction,

regardless of the rubric. Finally we look to the current run-up to the

impending referendum in Scotland in which numerous cross-cutting autogenic

otherings are created by the emergence of distinct interests, one set of

such otherings having to do with who has or should have the right to vote

in the referendum itself.