Normalization of Structural Inequality: The Case Study of Christian Minority in Pakistan

Abstract

The segregation in Pakistani society have marginalized the Christian community. The social stratification has led power and wealth in few groups. Christian being a religious minority had to live their life in constant fear. They are socio-politically, economically and constitutionally discriminated. The inequality in structures are so deeply rooted that they have become normalized. The normalization of inequalities is due to structure of society and how it is being designed historically. The Muslim scholars and extremist with the help of governments have radicalized the society through the influence of Sharia. The discriminated laws and weak governing system have further drive Christians in isolations. The theory of protracted social conflict is a theory introduced by Edward Azar to track the protracted conflict in third world. The theory was specifically designed to assess the conflict within groups on the basis of identity, race, religion etc. this theory is used as a framework to analyze the emergence and progression of the conflict. The theory is used to test its variables and find its application in the conflict. The purpose is to identify the underlying reason of the issue and to identify to what extent the theory remains a useful framework to analyze the conflict.