Multiculturalism

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.

The term multiculturalism has a range of meanings within the contexts of sociology, political philosophy, and colloquial use. In sociology and in everyday usage, it is a synonym for ethnic pluralism, with the two terms often used interchangeably, and for cultural pluralism[1] in which various ethnic and cultural groups exist in a single society. It can describe a mixed ethnic community area where multiple cultural traditions exist (such as New York City, London or Paris) or a single country within which they do (such as Switzerland, Belgium or Russia). Groups associated with an indigenous, aboriginal or autochthonous ethnic group and settler-descended ethnic groups are often the focus.[2]

In reference to sociology, multiculturalism is the end-state of either a natural or artificial process (for example: legally controlled immigration) and occurs on either a large national scale or on a smaller scale within a nation's communities. On a smaller scale this can occur artificially when a jurisdiction is established or expanded by amalgamating areas with two or more different cultures (e.g. French Canada and English Canada). On a large scale, it can occur as a result of either legal or illegal migration to and from different jurisdictions around the world.

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]

  1. ^ Reynolds, Cecil R.; Fletcher-Janzen, Elaine, eds. (2008). "Pluralism, Cultural". Encyclopedia of Special Education. pp. 1591–1592. doi:10.1002/9780470373699.speced1627. ISBN 978-0-470-37369-9.
  2. ^ Gasimova, Narmina (15 December 2022). "Multiculturalism as the main philosophical concept in the social development of modern society" (PDF). Metafizika (in Azerbaijani). 5 (4): 77–87. eISSN 2617-751X. ISSN 2616-6879. OCLC 1117709579. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  3. ^ Thomas L. Harper (13 January 2011). Dialogues in urban and regional planning. Taylor & Francis. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-415-59334-2.
  4. ^ Burgess, Ann Carroll; Burgess, Tom (2005). Guide to Western Canada (7th ed.). Globe Pequot Press. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7627-2987-6. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  5. ^ Condra, Jill (9 April 2013). Encyclopedia of National Dress: Traditional Clothing around the World [2 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. p. 111. ISBN 9780313376375.