Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Multiculturalism (Society (society is important and reject the neo…
Multiculturalism
Society
- society is important and reject the neo liberalism idea that society is merely a sub total of atomistic individual; whose personalities have been shaped autonomously. Communities have a significant effect on how we think
- it is important to note that multiculturalism and communitarianism are not the same. this is down to the significant disagreement on what constitutes a community.
- for Taylor communities are forged by whatever leads to a group of people having shared interests. communitarians used the word community in respect to geography and they are defined by economic factors.
- however multiculturalist's stress culture and psychology rather than economics or geography as the main criteria of 'real' communities. they argue that regional boundaries will always be transcended by the importance of cultural identity
- some cultural communities are defined by what we might call primordial factors; such as sexuality, ethnicity and some are historical factors
- multiculturalists prescribes what should be rather than what is. both Parekh and Modood, data within the UK represents a glorious opportunity to broaden our understanding of all citizens, thus create a society where there is a greater tolerance and wisdom.
- as berlin argued that exposure to other cultures makes us more conscience of what we are and of those cultures.
8.Parekh argues that every culture offers a particular version on what 'the good life should be'. yet Parekh states that each version of the cultures 'good life' has its weaknesses and problems. as a result of this belief multiculturalist view of society is strongly linked to cultural relativism: the notion that no single culture is objectively superior to another. right and wrong will vary between cultures and the best cultures will state this as 'reality'
- Parekh states that the co -existence of many cultures within a society promoting cultural relativism will have endless benefits. e.g. end mono culture. Parekh also argued that multicultural societies 'would be less competition and more of a conversation .. in which communities would learn from one another'
10.Parekh states that multicultural societies should be welcomed not just as an opportunity but as historic opportunities to enrich and develop each of the cultures concerned. Modood believes it could lead to a 'community of communities' rather than a mono-culture society that alienates many of the BAME citizens. Modood also argues that 'recognizing its multi cultural character' the UK has a chance to 'rethink its national story'
Human Nature
Communally embedded- it has a generally optimistic view of human nature. the view of human nature is much closer to a socialist than it is to a liberalism.
this is because like socialism; multiculturalist view human nature as 'malleable' like plastic; heavily influenced by its social environment.
multiculturalism owes much to the communitarian theories. like Charles Taylors; he states ' it is impossible to understand ourselves and others.. without understanding the communities in which we function'
in other words human are shaped and products of their communities; which is the opposite to liberalism which believes human nature is fixed at birth.
Identity -
multiculturalism is closely linked to identity politics: the notion that what we believe and what we want is determined by what we are.
Taylor further asserts that humans are driven by the urge to uncover and define their individual identity
unlike classical liberalism who argue that self - realisation is achieved autonomously(freedom to act independently), multiculturalist argue it can only be ascertained interactively.
Kymlicka also agree with Taylor that communal identity provides 'an anchor for an individual's self - identification'. Kymlicka also stresses that 'self and community identification' is much more likely to happen when there is a multitude of varying communities. Argument supported by Modood 'to be among those of very different cultures makes one aware of what one is not and thereby shapes our understanding on what one is.
Recognition - it is not enough for us to simply locate our identity and the extent to which it has been shaped by our communities. if we are self- confident enough to develop; it is also necessary for other communities to recognise our communal identity.
essentialism - yet their my be differences between individuals within communities; those individuals will still ultimately share essential characteristics and similar attitudes.
Parekh summary has huge implications for multiculturalist views of human nature and even if an individual wishes to escape their community; their nature is so fundamentally embedded within them that such escape is impossible.
implying that even though multiculturalism is associated with an 'optimistic' take on humanity also it believes that rational choice plays only a limited role in human nature.
The State
-
state - sponsored assimilation. involves the state encouraging the minority cultures to try and 'blend in' with the existing majority culture and suppress their native culture. aim is to bring a mono cultural society, free of segregation.
Exemplified by the French Fifth republic; the state promotes assimilation by giving equal rights to all individuals, faith schools aren't allowed in France and the burka is not allowed to be worn in public places.
individualist integration - an approach given by both UK and the USA from 1960s onwards. it will insist on prevailing a dominant culture and encourage the minority cultures to adapt to it in return for all the trappings of a liberal state.
however, individualist integration is more tolerant than assimilation. they acknowledge the existence of other cultures will allow them to dress and practise their religion even if it is not funded by the state - it also illegalise forms of racial discrimination of the other cultures, to make sure that each individual is up holding respect.
the state acknowledging what Berlin term value pluralism - absolute values given in a liberal democracy and not for the liberal state to make any one of them more important than another - then practising was Kymlicka refers to as group differentiated rights.
-
the economy
economic policy must always respect the diverse need of a dynamic, multicultural society.
For Kymlicka, multiculturalism enhances capitalism by energising individuals from diverse backgrounds
equally for Kymlicka, accepts that a free market capitalism can bring huge inequalities. economic inequalities can challenge the liberal principle kymlicka states, of 'government by consent' yet he believes that this problem can easily be overcome if the state recognises the range of cultural identities; including communities where many find themselves economically weakened
-