Multiculturalism has become a political touchstone in many
countries around the world. While many of those on the right oppose
it, and many of those on the left embrace it, things are not this
simple. For those who defend them, multicultural policies are
generally seen as key to the fair and successful integration of
minorities, many of whom are immigrants, into diverse democratic
societies. For those who oppose multiculturalism, who have become
part of the so-called "backlash" against multiculturalism, they are
charged with generating segregation rather than inclusion,
undermining national cultures, reinforcing difference, and
privileging minority groups. Around the world, we see failing
attempts at migrant integration, persistent religious intolerance
and racial and ethnic discrimination, resurgent national
minorities, emboldened majorities, permanent minorities, continuing
social isolation, and increasing extremism, including in the form
of white nationalism. But is multiculturalism the solution to these
problems or does it just make them worse? In this for-and-against
book, two prominent scholars of multiculturalism put forward
different answers to this important question. While Patti Tamara
Lenard argues for minority rights as both the consequence of a
right to culture and a way to redress the effects of
nation-building, Peter Balint rejects minority rights altogether,
instead arguing for a re-imagined liberal neutrality. This
theoretical disagreement plays out in real-world policy
disagreement. Lenard, for example, argues strongly in favor of
exemptions from general rules for minority cultures including the
right of Sikhs to be exempt from helmet laws, and for Jews and
Muslims to be exempt from bans on male circumcision. She also
defends the right of minority cultures to have government-supported
separate spaces. Balint, on the other hand, argues directly against
these types of exemptions and government support. He is opposed to
any form of differentiation based on culture, religion, or
ethnicity. The book uses a wide range of real-world examples to
demonstrate their significant theoretical disagreement, and to
recommend very different policy proposals.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!