What does it mean when leaders play the ethnic card during a political crisis?

When leaders play the "ethnic card" during a political crisis, they are intentionally invoking ethnicity—regardless of whether it is relevant to the situation—as a strategic tool to mobilize support or navigate power struggles. This practice is a form of elite-level manipulation that can rapidly escalate tensions between different ethnic groups.1

By highlighting ethnic identity, leaders often aim to unify their own group while creating or deepening divisions with others, a process sometimes associated with the broader strategy of divide and rule. In the context of ethnic conflict, this tactic is frequently accompanied by other divisive behaviors, such as:2

• Scapegoating: Blaming specific ethnic groups for political or economic failures.2
• Hate speech: Using inflammatory language to dehumanize or incite hostility against others.2
• Media manipulation: Controlling information to heighten existing discord and fear.2

Ethically, playing the ethnic card is a dangerous and irresponsible practice. It prioritizes the personal or political power of elites over the safety and cohesion of society, often leading to violence, discrimination, and long-term social instability.12