Multiculturalism refers to a multidimensional term that defines the different racial, ethnical, and diverse aspects of society. From a personal perspective, multiculturalism helps individuals to enhance their personality regarding shaping their cultural identities thereby enhancing their ability to interact with society. On a high societal level, multiculturalism is used to define the different strategies that groups utilize to organize their activities (Malik 22). From a national perspective, multiculturalism outlines the policies the government employs to prohibit and support the diversity of different cultural groups in society. At the national level, aspects related to globalization, assimilation, and cultural competencies are considered when formulating policies that define the political, economic, and social activities aimed at promoting cultural diversity (Reidel 320).
In the contemporary society, geographical boundaries define nation-states and within each nation lies great levels of cultural identities. Countries such as the US, Canada, UK, and Australia comprises of immigrants from a different part of the world. As such, tendencies to develop feelings of allegiance, patriotism, or nationalism to their original states are more likely to arise. If properly addressed, multiculturalism breeds cultural diversity and unity among different cultures that make up a particular nation state (Malik 25). On the contrary, lack of proper policies aimed at addressing multiculturalism is more likely to lead to the development of a racially or ethnically divided society. For this reason, government or national policies should be developed to include the needs and requirements of a multi-cultured and diverse society. Countries such as the United States have undertaken significant efforts that recognize the issues and needs of a multicultural society. Multiculturalism policies at the national level provide an exceptional platform for the government to promote friendship, overcome prejudices, understanding, and enable individuals to develop respect (Reidel 321). Finally, yet importantly, multiculturalism promotes democracy within the society where every individual is at liberty and has equality regarding rights and dignity.
Identity formation in a multicultural society
Individuals in a multicultural society have many options when it comes to the issue of identity formation. Interactional and discursive processes are embedded within the society, and it helps people to fit in sociopolitical contexts. For instance, social upbringing and type of parenting determine the manner with which an individual views and sees himself. It gives a person as a chance to analyze the diversity of particular groups and as well, select the networks that one aspires to belong. The same case applies to the issue of religion because belonging to a particular religious organization makes him/her identify with that particular religion.
History of Multiculturalism
As the ideological stand of Marxism started diminishing, it was rapidly succeeded by multiculturalism. Several factors generated this change, both internal and external. Among the external factors that propagated this change were, new perceptions all over the world about race and color and the era that came after the end of World War II. It was during this times that people started looking acrimoniously at the issue of race superiority and what racial supporters like the Nazi could do if they were allowed to continue with the racial discrimination (Zarate 377). This made it difficult for countries undergoing multiculturalism to support and defend their white superiority policies.
Internally, activists and human rights groups such as churches, and other radical groups against racial discrimination from the minority groups started becoming vocal and soon after gained momentum against the then government supported white policies (Zarate 379). By the early 1950s, the voices against white supremacy and the acceptance of other races in the society had grown substantially to incorporate academics, journalists, university students, communal leaders and social workers who by then were working in the migrant settling service.
The immigration policies were also changed as more countries accepted and supported more immigrants into their country to in building and growing the economy by providing the much-needed workforce but only that this time it was on a basis of agreement and not slavery or forced labor as it was before. For instance, in Australia, the white supremacy policies were slowly being changed as the assimilation policies were being made during this time. Some of the actions that took place at this stage that radically enhanced multiculturalism in Australia was the dropping of the dictation test for individuals who were interested in taking up the citizenship of Australia. There were further ratifications to the migrant program to incorporate non-Europeans in the year 1958; it was also in the year 1966 that the migrant program on skilled personnel was also expanded to include people who were not from Europe. The radical steps taken by the Australian government at this time helped push forward Multiculturalism (Zarate 385). By the end of the 1960s and the early 1970s, the Australian government also came up with the Colombo plan that gave Asians students a chance to study in the country with the option of settling in the country.
It is important to note that all these changes happened in a relatively short period and were, in essence, a dramatic turnaround in the attitudes and belief that pre-existed in the early half of the century with minimum disquiet from the general public. By the beginning of the 1990s, Multiculturalism was a policy that most of the political parties and personalities supported.
Multiculturalism: Segregation or integration?
For many years, multiculturalism has become the ideal model of integration. Countries have in various techniques adopted multiculturalism as a guide to the development of similar communities where racial, religious or cultural equality are historical characteristics, where diversity has turned out to be the modern social reality. Although multiculturalism has enjoyed prolonged and remarkable success in some societies, it has come under immense pressure over the past few years from a practical and conceptual perspective over the realization of an integrated society. Even though, multiculturalism cannot be considered entirely as an instrument for integration. It can also be as well regarded as a tool for segregation, bringing about one or other forms of segregation though the preservations of religious, cultural, ethnic, racial and linguistic diversity (Banting 798). For instance, a society that seeks to maintain cultural diversity can provoke multiculturalism by nurturing diversity and depressing homogenizing processes. In essence, multiculturalism does not necessarily result in social integration.
Integration needs cultural, and other social values considered universal and around which a society that is integrated is oriented. Some cultures lack these common universals, and the promotion of multiculturalism is in conflict with the requirement of these universal values if integration is to be realized. Either the outcome is a society that is cohesive or not cohesive in which the minority groups are disadvantaged. While not demanding universal values that persist through time, integration needs not to be in agreement with values, even if the arrangements are incessantly negotiated as social forces change the society. Nonetheless, if social inclusion is realized through negotiation, the manner in which multiculturalism works for integration cannot be realized. Rather, the integration is attained through negotiations that need not appeal to any theory of multiculturalism. However, it can be argued that specific values should guide negotiation or social arrangements.
In essence, there is a conceptual clatter between integration and multiculturalism. If integration needs a set of integrating standards, universals, shared values that serve as a guide to which integration should be considered and effected. These standards might always conflict with some values that some cultures subscribe. Multiculturalism upholds cultural diversity; hence is likely to result in conflict between the cultural values and principles that define the society in context and what amounts to integration (Finney and Simpson 17). Multiculturalism celebrates diversity, to promote other people, to respect cultural diversity. Thus, multicultural societies are less harmonious, less cohesive and less capable of prospering due to the internal conflicts; feeble systems of integration.
The Economic Benefits of multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is based on individual’s freedom to enjoy their culture as well as enjoy equal participation in all aspects of their society way of living. Multiculturalism bestows various benefits on people from different cultural backgrounds. Any viable defense for multiculturalism looks at the significant gains people of a particular culture or country derive from having a multicultural society. Economic arguments focus on the economic advantages derived from the different range of skills and knowledge promoted by multiculturalism. The knowledge and the skills promoted by multiculturalism provide a country with a competitive edge on the global scale by expanding the worldwide market for labor, goods, and services exchange.
Different empirical and statistical studies suggest that ethnic and cultural diversity increases the productivity of labor and private capital. Some of the studies indicate that multiculturalism is beneficial in the preservation of useful economic links with the global Diaspora. Multiculturalism assists an organization in their pursuit of an external market for their exports. An organization with a culturally diverse group is more experienced in dealing with different ethnic and cultural behaviors that are critical for a company aiming to expand globally. Multiculturalism promotes innovation and creativity in an organization because a diverse society facilitates critical thinking and informed decision making. This is mainly possible due to the additional skills and knowledge migrant workers add to the skills and knowledge already existing among local employees. According to an empirical test conducted by Spolaore and Wacziarg, multiculturalism boosts economic growth through an open policy of immigration that introduces a diversity of individual skills that ultimately improve the national output (Spolaore n.d).
The economic benefits derived from multiculturalism are highly evident in high-income economies like the United States and Australia. High-income country derives huge benefits from multiculturalism due to the existent of stable institutions and high levels of democracy that reduces the negative impacts of ethical conflicts. High-income economies foster a favorable environment for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship for a multicultural workforce. Some researchers claim that multiculturalism can foster a highly effective formation of economic and social capital. It can accelerate entrepreneurship, innovation, and business development by providing entrepreneurs with an additional network of financial and social capital in broader society.
The case for economic gains has also been criticized by scholars, who claim that multiculturalism is associated with various costs commonly connected with ethnic diversity such as cultural conflicts and lack of literacy skills (Galinsky 743). These challenges are highly unlikely to be found in a society without cultural diversity and workers can understand each other and work cohesively. Immigrant workers also experience problems with contractual frameworks and the rule of law on foreign countries which in most cases reduces their productivity. Despite the challenges identified, an ethnically diverse society accompanied by retention of cultural links and promotion of core institutional values has a huge potential to foster economic benefits in any country.
Works Cited
Finney, Nissa, and Ludi Simpson. 'Sleepwalking to Segregation'?: Challenging Myths about Race and Migration. Bristol: Policy Press, 2009. Print.Banting, Keith G. "Is there a progressive's dilemma in Canada? Immigration, multiculturalism and the welfare state." Canadian Journal of Political Science 43.04 (2010): 797-820.
Malik, Kenan. "The Failure of Multiculturalism." Foreign Affairs 94.2 (2015): 21-32.
Reidel, Laura. "Beyond A State-Centric Perspective On Norm Change: A Multilevel Governance Analysis Of The Retreat From Multiculturalism." Global Governance 21.2 (2015): 317- 336
Galinsky, Adam D. "Maximizing the Gains and Minimizing the Pains of Diversity A Policy
Perspective." Perspectives on Psychological Science 10.6 (2015): 742-748.
Spolaore, Enrico, and Romain Wacziarg. "War and relatedness." Review of Economics and
Statistics. 2009. Print
Zarate, Geneviève. Handbook of multilingualism and multiculturalism. Archives contemporaines, pg377- 387, 2011.print
