Abstract
Multiculturalism refers to the integration of different cultures to confide to a single national culture or social viewpoint. Thus, multiculturalism is an accommodative social perspective that entails integrating divergent social and cultural practices to a unified accord. With regards to the Australian multiculturalism programs, it would be imperative to conclude that it has had a share of challenges in implementing this policy, but at the same time reaped a lot from this policy. Thus, amidst challenges that come with settling people with diverse interests, Australia has had some gains out of its efforts to integrate people of different social and cultural backgrounds. This essay discusses the advantages that multiculturalism has brought to the Australian national culture and its identity (In Ho, & In Jakubowicz, 2014). Therefore, the core precept of this essay is anchored on the main advantages associated with the Australian policy on multicultural dimension, especially in the country’s quest to meet the social demands of the emigrants.
Introduction
The introduction of multiculturalism came in the wake of Australian policy presages to settle the needs of immigrants, whose woes had been settled. Therefore, the Australian government introduced this policy in order to deal with the perennial immigrant issues that were ever experienced in the country. Indeed, the advancement in this policy came at a time when the country needed to settle various social problems that the immigrants’ communities were subjected. Despite the enactment of laws and policies to streamline the settlement of immigrants, all did not go well as multiculturalism was often attacked by having certain pitfalls, to the Australian system (Levey, & Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, 2012). The bottom-line of multiculturalism was attended on creating a socially sound and a just society that would accommodate varied social and ethnic interests, and at the same time retain the standards and values of Australia as a country. However, the 3-decade long period of the preoccupation of the multiculturalism policy within the Australian social parlance did not end smoothly as it was often marred with criticism and a range of issues to its implementation to an otherwise vulnerable population (Zajda, & Daun, 2009). The policy of “multiculturalism has been gutted at the national level in Australia” (Levey, & Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, 2012). The purpose of this essay is to examine various advantages and dissenting opinion regarding multiculturalism in Australia, but to maintain a positive opinion about its impact to this country’s social paradigm. Principally, the thesis of this essay is to examine the policy of multiculturalism and its advantages and disadvantages to Australia.
Disadvantage
Despite the numerous advantages cited to be associated with multiculturalism in Australia, this process alongside its policy manifestation have been cited to be behind national border issues that are inherent in diversity. One cited claim relates to massive insecurity that has followed the integration of immigrants into the country. Once again, liberalism and democracy have been put on the spot as being behind insecurity and other cross-border social identity matrix (Foster, & Stockley, 1988). Therefore, the policy entrenched to oversee the integration of multicultural society has generated significant limitations to a country that was once united by the virtue of the citizenry. In fact, some regions in Australia have experienced civilian unrest due to issues pointed out as being integral to the multiculturalism process. Indeed, the impacts of insecurity as inherent to multicultural social cohesion have heated fury and tension among people of different religious lines (Kearney, & Australia, 1990). Religion is one pillar of cohesion that has triggered animosity between people of diverse social lines, and Australia is marked as one such country where religious disparity and spatial lens occupies the center stage (Galligan, & Roberts, 2004).
Advantages
Multiculturalism has also generated advantages to Australia as a country. Therefore, I am highly in favor of this concept due to its transformative influence to the country’s social and cultural parlance in the fight for social sustainability and restorative social justice and equity. Indeed, Australia has served as a safe haven for thousands of immigrants that seek settlement all over the world. Principally, the Foster, & Stockeley, (1988), states that, “the concept of multiculturalism in Australia has been punctuated by periods of intense activities.” The country’s efforts have been hailed by the international community, with a positive ranking in giving homes to immigrants who have no connection to all. Consequently, the country’s efforts to resettle and integrate the vulnerable population have never gone without rewards as it promoted the mediation of cultural relations in a country that relies on diversity as its core strength. The development conscious Australia finds a greater opportunity of diversity that comes with multiculturalism sects in the country (Hodge, & O'Carroll, 2006). Indeed, multiculturalism means the country’s openness to share and explore new talents and cultures to its fold. Sharing and accommodating persons of diverse social, religious and cultural interests have propelled the country to higher heights of experience to handle varied and conflicting social interests (Leuner, 2008). Thus, the country’s exposure to these diversities has posited it at act in the best interest of humanity, and to settle social differences by advancing its course to a significantly unifying national course. For example, the Australia has benefited directly on cultural precepts, and it has been keen in ensuring that it meets and fulfills the demands predisposed by these diverse social and cultural groups. As a result of the Australia’s engagement with multicultural sects, the country has been sound and united on commonness of language and social issues. According to Leuner, (2008, p.106), “multiculturalism recognizes and promotes diverse cultural and ethnic background of the Australian people. “For example, the entrenchment of multiculturalism policy has triggered practices for justice and fairness to a country that shares diversity in its social and cultural preoccupation (Clancy, 2006). In fact, cultural lenses based on tribes have been deciphered in the interest of national culture.
The concept of multiculturalism has served to expand the Australian national identity, and instead of having multiple ethnic and cultural setups, the country has united in one accord of social and cultural predisposition. The policy of multiculturalism has served the Australian nation-building capacity, which is entrenched on the cohesion and oneness. Thus, cultural conformity has been the driving pillar towards nation building. It’s due to this focused viewpoint that the immigrants entering Australia have been integrated to form part of the community (Jayasuriya, 2012). Besides, the Australian receptive nature has precipitated to its connection with the world, and this has given it a positive rating and approval. Besides, its stake in international matters is reflective of the cultural diversity it shares with the world. Therefore, the concept of multiculturalism has been incepted to expand the Australian identify and narratives to the international community. Indeed, “multiculturalism has meant many things to many people in Australia” (In Ho, & In Jakubowicz, 2014, p.131).
In conclusion, multiculturalism is a policy concept that has been modeled by the global community, and it’s responsible for social cohesion and provision of sound social justice to the people around the globe. While different social backgrounds have had a fair share of limitations regarding this principle, I would, however, contradict this viewpoint as non-existent to the Australian situation, which has had more progress than limitations (Foster, & Stockley, 1988). For example, Australia has benefited from multiculturalism as it has made gains out of the diversity that a new cultural dimension brings. This element has exalted the country as a beacon of cultural diversity; a country with a rich cultural background with its people drawn from all places. Besides, this diverse cultural identity has been strength in spearheading changes and social sanity in the country’s background.
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