Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism refers to the presence, acceptance, or promotion of multiple cultural traditions within a single jurisdiction, usually considered in terms of the culture associated with an ethnic group. This can happen when a jurisdiction is created or expanded by amalgamating areas with two or more different cultures or through immigration from different jurisdictions around the world. Multicultural ideologies advocate the acceptance of an inclusive society that allows people with diverse backgrounds to contribute to the culture.

Origins and Definitions

The term multiculturalism has a range of meanings in the contexts of sociology, political philosophy, and colloquial use. In sociology and everyday usage, it is a synonym for "ethnic pluralism" with the two terms often used interchangeably, for example, a cultural pluralism in which various ethnic groups collaborate and enter into a dialogue with one another without having to sacrifice their particular identities.

Multiculturalism as a Political Philosophy

As a political philosophy, multiculturalism embodies the idea that society should accommodate and include distinct cultural groups, with no one culture dominating or suppressing the others. This can be contrasted with monoculturalism, the belief that a single culture should dominate in a society.

Criticisms of Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism has been criticized for a variety of reasons. Some critics argue that it can lead to social fragmentation, while others believe it fails to promote social cohesion. There are also concerns that multiculturalism can lead to the marginalization of certain cultural groups.

See Also

• Cultural pluralism
• Ethnic group
• Monoculturalism

References

Multiculturalism Resources
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