Multiculturalism
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blended with one another: they are not opposing forces. In this sense, multiculturalists accept that people can have multiple identities and multiple loyalties; for instance, to their country of origin and their country of settlement. Indeed, multiculturalists argue that cultural recognition underpins political stability. People are willing and able to participate in society precisely because they have a firm and secure identity, rooted in their own culture. From this perspective, the denial of cultural recognition results in isolation and powerlessness, providing a breeding ground for extremism and the politics of hate. Multiculturalists do not just believe that diversity is possible; they believe it is also desirable and should be celebrated. Apart from its benefits to the individual in terms of a stronger sense of cultural identity and belonging, multiculturalists believe that diversity is of value to society at large. This can be seen, in particular, in terms of the vigour and vibrancy of a society in which there are a variety of lifestyles, cultural practices, traditions and beliefs. Multiculturalism, in this sense, parallels ecologism, in drawing links between diversity and systemic health. Cultural diversity is seen to benefit society in the same way that biodiversity benefits an ecosystem. An additional advantage of diversity is that, by promoting cultural exchange between groups that live side by side with one another, it fosters cross-cultural toleration and understanding, and therefore a willingness to respect ‘difference’. Diversity, in this sense, is the antidote to social polarization and prejudice. Nevertheless, multiculturalism has sometimes been criticized for endorsing diversity at the expense of unity. This has been reflected growing interest in what is called ‘ interculturalism ’, seen either as an alternative to multiculturalism or as an updated version of multiculturalism. Viewed as a response to how to live in , rather than with, diversity, interculturalism is based on three key assumptions. First it rejects the idea that cultures are fixed and unchanging, instead emphasizing that they are fluid and internally differentiated. Dialogue thus takes place within cultures as well as between them. Second, contest, debate and argument are seen to be intrinsically worthwhile, reflecting an underlying faith in reason. Third, cultures are taken to be distinguished more by what they have in common than by what divides them. However, some multiculturalists hold that interculturalism is a political and moral dead end. This is because they fear that by encouraging cultural exchange and prioritizing mutual understanding, it risks blurring the contours of group identity and creating a kind of ‘pick-and-mix’, melting-pot society in which individuals have but a ‘shallow’ sense of social and historical identity. TYPES OF MULTICULTURALISM All forms of multiculturalism advance a political vision that claims to reconcile cultural
diversity with civic cohesion. However, multiculturalism is not a single doctrine in the sense that there is no settled or agreed view of how multicultural society should operate. Indeed, multiculturalism is another example of a cross-cutting ideology that draws on a range of other political traditions and encompasses a variety of ideological stances. Multiculturalists disagree both about how far they should go in positively endorsing cultural diversity, and about how civic cohesion can best be brought about. In short, there are competingmodels of multiculturalism, each offering a different view
Toleration: Forbearance; a willingness to accept views or actions with which one is in disagreement. Interculturalism: An approach to diversity that strongly emphasizes the benefits of dialogue and interaction between cultures.
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