Multiculturalism

Question 1

What is the paradox of multiculturalism?

Answer 1

How to make society safe “for” diversity yet also make it safe “from” diversity?

Question 2

How is MC defined?

Answer 2

A principle and practice for engaging diversity as different yet equal; package of policies and programs for integrating minorities into the institutional framework of society

Question 3

What is meant as MC as a social fact?

Answer 3

Empirical statement about “what is”
Demographic composition of a country

Question 4

Give an example of MC as a social fact but not a policy.

Answer 4

Until the introduction of the 1971 policy, Canada (although demographically diverse) was dominated by British and French cultural norms

Question 5

What is meant by MC as an ideology?

Answer 5

Puts forth an ideal image of how Canadians “should” live
Diversity IS compatible with national goals
Suggests how things out to be in terms of social organization based on culture and ethnicity

Question 6

What is meant as MC as practice to acquire resourceS?

Answer 6

The use of MC by both political and ethnic sectors to advance goals and ambitions
Can contribute to national growth and security
Platform for ethnic communities to articulate their concerns and for attaining practical goals

Question 7

Who introduced the 1971 Ethnicity Multiculturalism policy?

Answer 7

Pierre Trudeau

Question 8

What was the intent/focus of the 1971 MC policy?

Answer 8

Focus on celebrating differences with culture as primary reference point
Attempted to fix problem of prejudice

Question 9

Describe the 1980s equity multiculturalism/

Answer 9

Shift from celebrating difference to fostering equality in society
Social structure as the primary reference point
Involved developing a more anti-racist approach to institutional dynamics

Question 10

Describe the economic portion of 1980s equity multiculturalism

Answer 10

Shifted the emphasis to a more instrumentalist view of MC

Question 11

Describe 1990s civic MC.

Answer 11

Oriented toward Canada-building by promoting the ideal of a commonly shared citizenship
Fostering a sense of belonging and a shared awareness of Canadian identity while maintaining differences

Question 12

What were the strategic goals of 1990s civic multiculturalism?

Answer 12

Civic participation
Social justice/equal treatment
Identity (sense of belonging)

Question 13

What is the current type of MC called?

Answer 13

Integrative MC

Question 14

Describe today’s integrative MC.

Answer 14

Focus on the integration of immigrants into Canadian society by adopting the values of liberal democracy

Question 15

Describe the antecedents of MC

Answer 15

Connected to the establishment of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism in 1963
Created in response to the growing concerns of ethnic minorities in Canada
Developed so Canada could be seen as unique, with its own national identity that is different from the US

Question 16

What are the 5 critiques of MC from the political right?

Answer 16

Scrutinized for undermining the historical tendency of immigrant groups to integrate and build a strong Canadian identity
Encourages ethnic separatism
Socially harmful and politically dangerous transnational ties
Putting up “cultural walls” around ethnic groups
Eroding ability to act collectively as citizens

Question 17

Describe some critiques on MC from the political left.

Answer 17

Policy only promoted those aspects of ethnic cultures that didn’t challenge Anglo-Saxon assumptions
Only emphasis on depoliticized “song and dance” activities
MC reconstitutes whiteness as tolerant and committed to pluralism
MC policies celebrate white tolerance of racialized others
Fails to account for how ethnicity is often politically and socially constructed
MC defines ethnic communities as homogenous groups
MC shifts the focus from social justice and racism to ethnic identity and cultural diversity
“Discourse of Diversity”
“Symbolic MC”

Question 18

What are three additional criticism of MC?

Answer 18

Hardening stereotypes
Undermining special claims
Breeding ground for intolerance and terrorism

Question 19

Why is MC accused of hardening stereotypes?

Answer 19

By reducing people to the lowest common denominator, it simplifies and therefore devalues culture.

Question 20

What is meant by MC undermining special claims?

Answer 20

Inception of MC policy has reduced Indigenous Peoples to “just another minority” and undermines their aspirations for self-government.

Question 21

Why do some continue MC as a breeding ground for intolerance and terrorism?

Answer 21

Encourages and tolerates the promotion of cultures and religions that are decidedly intolerant

Question 22

What policy has the QC government pursued instead of MC?

Answer 22

Interculturalism

Question 23

What is interculturalism?

Answer 23

Recognizes cultural diversity, but discourages ethnic enclaves and promotes linguistic assimilation
Promotes a fusion of all commonalities of cultures within a francophone framework

Question 24

What is pluralism?

Answer 24

Advocates tolerance of cultural diversity and promotes the idea that such diversity is compatible with national goals

Question 25

What do the basic principles of MC rest on?

Answer 25

Notion of cultural relativism

Question 26

Define cultural relativism

Answer 26

The evaluative criteria of culture should be drawn from within the culture in question and that no external standards are applicable