Multiculturalism Flashcards
What is multiculturalism?
-Provides a solution to the legitimate competing demands of diversity and unity to achieve a society w political unity but no cultural uniformity.
what are the core principles of multiculturalism?
-Politics of recognition
-Culture + identity
-Minority rights
-Diversity
What is the politics of recognition?
-The recognition of an individuals identity and culture, which allows that individual to be seen and allow them then to commit to society
What could happen if groups don’t have their identity recognised?
-Undermines chances of integration + social cohesion as it encourages isolation
Key thinker for politics of recognition
-Charles Taylor
politics of recognition: equal dignity
-Granting of formal equality which aligns with liberal forms of thinking
-Equal legal and political rights, ‘difference-blind-
-e.g. Civil rights Act 1964
Politics of recognition: equal recognition
-Everyone should be equally recognised for their own unique identity
-Means giving status and recognition to different cultures who are fundamentally different
What is culture and identity?
-How different cultural beliefs and values which help shape our identity
-Communitarianism- belief that humans are ‘culturally embedded’
How can culture be used as a tool of oppression?
-Can be used by the majority culture against minority groups who are marginalised and treated as outsiders
-If the state doesn’t value these cultures, individuals from minority groups wont feel committed to the political community + experience alienation
How does alienation occur?
-Through misrecognition e.g. racism, stereotyping, which is seen as an attack on an individuals self worth
-Can cause minorities to withdraw from the community in fear of ridicule
How to prevent misrecognition?
-Cultures should be protected by the state
-Cultures can challenge oppression through identity politics by adopting the labels given to them by society to create a positive and authentic identity
what are minority rights?
-Granting collective rights to groups instead of individuals
-Group differentiated rights are specific to certain groups and may hold no meaning to others.
who is the key thinker for minority rights?
-Lib multiculturalists Kymlicka
What does Kymlicka argue?
-The state ought to be neutral but it’s inevitable for it to align with the majority culture, leaving minorities at a disadvantage e.g. France banning full face veils on Muslim women
Group differentiated rights
-Rights which are specific to certain minority groups
-Acknowledges how certain groups require additional rights or privileges to allow them freedom and autonomy
What are the types of group differentiated rights?
-Self-governmental rights
-Polyethnic rights
-Representation rights
what are self-government rights?
-Rights granted to national minorities or indigenous populations who want political autonomy
-Usually geographically concentrated + have suffered historical oppression e.g. Native Americans in the US
what are polyethnic rights?
-Meet the demands of immigrant groups who want to maintain their cultural identity
-Allows the to integrate into society e.g. Equality Act 2010
What are representation rights?
-Used to tackle exclusion of minorities from public life
-Positive discrimination allows minorities to engage in society
what is diversity?
-Presence and recognition of a wide range of cultural groups within society
-Allows individuals to decided themselves what aspects of the cultures they want to adopt
-Promotes tolerance and respect
-Key source of division
