Week 4: Institutional responses to diversity

Question 1

Institutional responses to diversity

Answer 1

• Voice
• Symbolic recognition
• Exception
• Cultural Defence
• Assistance
• Autonomy

Question 2

Voice

Answer 2

Minorities having a voice

• there are things like proportional representation and consultation, but little to do with national minorities like FN
• It is often assumed voice is an appropriate policy, but even minority self governing groups are subject to Authority of a central institution
• Voice is important for groups like FN because it is difficult to achieve autonomy in a place overrun by development
• Only their view can be accurately understood by a member from their community

Question 3

Symbolic recognition

Answer 3

• Symbols are sometimes used as a substitute to concrete policies
• they are a driver of public sentiment
• Can help restore past injustices of denied humanity (FN)
• Public symbols can be welcoming or alienating
• Granting legal recognition to minority language and increasing symbolic status can increase the change of that groups survival by augmenting the capacity to generate public funding

Question 4

Exemption

Answer 4

Argues that minorities are disproportionally disadvantages and should be exempt from some laws to equalize the field.

• Amish petitioned to have children exempt from schools because it would undermine the younger generations commitment to religion, compromising their long term survival
• Carrying Kirpan for Sikhs
• Some people feel that they are given special treatment that is not deserving

Question 5

Cultural Defence

Answer 5

• Acts not viewed as criminal in their home society, but are in their lived society may be grounds for exception from punishment
• Mens rea and actus reus must be taken into account
• Okin believes its preposterous
  Barry believes treating minorities differently is incompatible with equality

Question 6

Assistance

Answer 6

• To promote and preserve their culture
• Eg public funding for minority schools
• Help overcome obstacles in their ability to participate in social/economic life.
• There is a lack of resources available to minority groups ie language education, diminishing their upward mobility and contribution

Question 7

Autonomy

Answer 7

Right to govern their own affairs

• preservation of minority cultures
• realization of individual autonomy
• democratic right to self determination, which is also address historic injustices

Question 8

Critics of Autonomy

Answer 8

Liberalisms fundamental commitment is to individual autonomy, not group

• doubt that any community will retain its individual identity with globalization
• Acceding to demands for self government is a recipe for instability
• New self government may abuse powers on its vulnerable member.

Question 9

Affirmative action is thought to:

Answer 9

Discriminate against non-minorities

• Ignores that not all minorities are equally disadvantaged
• overlooks equally needy populations