The idea that diverse cultural and ethnic groups
should co-exist within a country and that assimilation should not be forced
upon immigrant groups – “multiculturalism” – was orthodoxy 20 years ago. Today
it’s coming under pressure.
In this introduction to the political theory of
multiculturalism, Andrew Shorten surveys the leading theories of
multiculturalism, the critiques that have been levelled against the idea, and
the debates surrounding cohesion, integration and diversity.
He then goes on to
demonstrate how multicultural political theory can be renewed, arguing that a
single, monolithic vision of multiculturalism must be replaced by a
multiculturalism made up of different strands, responding to distinctive but
interrelated issues, and inspired by real-world policy debates about how
political communities should respond to differences of religion, language and
nationality. After tracing the influence of earlier multicultural ideas on
these debates, Shorten reveals some new and surprising possibilities for mutual
learning.
Containing an up-to-date overview of multicultural
political theory and its various offshoots, this book is essential reading for
students and scholars interested in the politics of cultural, religious,
linguistic and national diversity.
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