Multiculturalism
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Polyculturalism.
The Monument to Multiculturalism in Toronto, Canada. Four identical sculptures are
located in East London (South Africa), in Changchun (China), in Sarajevo (Bosnia
and Herzegovina), and in Sydney (Australia).
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Multiculturalism i
In reference to political science, multiculturalism can be defined as a state's
capacity to effectively and efficiently deal with cultural plurality within its
sovereign borders. Multiculturalism as a political philosophy involves ideologies
and policies which vary widely.[3] It has been described as a "salad bowl" and as a
"cultural mosaic",[4] in contrast to a "melting pot".[5]
Prevalence
History
States that embody multicultural ideals have arguably existed since ancient times.
The Achaemenid Empire founded by Cyrus the Great followed a policy of incorporating
and tolerating various cultures.[6]
Ethnographic map of Austria-Hungarian Empire
A historical example of multiculturalism was the Habsburg monarchy, which had
broken up in 1918 and under whose roof many different ethnic, linguistic and
religious groups lived together. The Habsburg rule was mired in controversy,
including events such as the mass murder committed against Székelys by the Habsburg
army in 1764 and the destruction of Romanian Orthodox Churches and Monasteries in
Transylvania by Adolf Nikolaus von Buccow.[7] Both events had happened during the
rule of Maria Theresa. Today's topical issues such as social and cultural
differentiation, multilingualism, competing identity offers or multiple cultural
identities have already shaped the scientific theories of many thinkers of this
multi-ethnic empire.[8] After the First World War, ethnic minorities were
disadvantaged, forced to emigrate or even murdered in most regions in the area of
the former Habsburg monarchy due to the prevailing nationalism at the time. In many
areas, these ethnic mosaics no longer exist today. The ethnic mix of that time can
only be experienced in a few areas, such as in the former Habsburg port city of
Trieste.[9]
In the political philosophy of multiculturalism, ideas are focused on the ways in
which societies are either believed to or should, respond to cultural and Christian
differences. It is often associated with "identity politics", "the politics of
difference", and "the politics of recognition". It is also a matter of economic
interests and political power.[10] In more recent times political multiculturalist
ideologies have been expanding in their use to include and define disadvantaged
groups such as Africa
