Final answer:
The unifying cause of identification of enemies/scapegoats is often rooted in intertwined cultural factors such as ethnicity, religion, language, and economics, which are manipulated by leaders to create divisions within society. Examples like apartheid and the Holocaust show the grievous outcomes of such divisions. Economic inequality and social injustice contribute to and exacerbate these conflicts, leading to a cycle of escalating tension and hostility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The unifying cause of identification of enemies/scapegoats can be complex as it often intertwines various cultural factors such as ethnicity, religion, language, and economics. These elements can create conditions for conflict and are exploited by leaders to divide or unify population groups. Conflicts such as the one in Northern Ireland illustrate how political disagreements and religious differences can be used as a means of social division.
Moreover, instances of extreme discrimination and persecution, such as during apartheid in South Africa or the Holocaust, demonstrate how societal divisions can lead to grievous injustices and human rights violations. Scapegoat theory explains that subordinate groups become targets for displaced aggression by dominant groups, leading to harmful narratives that justify prejudice and discrimination.
Patterns of prejudice and discrimination, stimulated by these cultural conflicts, can lead to egregious outcomes such as crime, war, and genocide. In contrast, economic inequality and social injustice can both drive these cultural divides, and be exacerbated by them, contributing to a cycle of escalating conflict.