(The latest version of this page is at Pattern Descriptions. An archived copy of this page is held at https://www.patternsofpower.org/edition02/6744.htm)
Multiculturalism encourages each ethnic group to mind its own business and not quarrel with others. Its proponents argue that people will inevitably want to express their ethnicity, because it forms a major component of their identity, and that it is their human right to do so. In practice, multiculturalist policies have led to problems:
· An undue emphasis upon differences between groups creates exclusionary reactions, as revealed by a study of attitudes in Holland for example.[1] It weakens social cohesion.
· If ethnic groups live in separate areas, particularly in large aggregations, they become increasingly isolated from the rest of society and mutual ignorance becomes a problem. For example, although British pluralism has been broadly peaceful, some flashpoints in the north of England have been associated with physical segregation and €śa series of parallel lives€ť. As the Cantle Report on Social Cohesion observed:
€śThere is little wonder that the ignorance about each others€™ communities can easily grow into fear; especially where this is exploited by extremist groups determined to undermine community harmony and foster divisions€ť.[2]
In summary, multiculturalism increases the likelihood of identity politics.
© PatternsofPower.org, 2014
[1] In their book When Ways of Life Collide, Sniderman and Hagendoorn write:
"Sharing a common identity builds support for inclusion; bringing differences of ethnic and religious identity to the fore evokes the very exclusionary reactions it is meant to avoid." (p. 135)
[2] The Cantle Report - Community Cohesion was published in January 2001 by the Home Office and was available in May 2014 at http://resources.cohesioninstitute.org.uk/Publications/Documents/Document/Default.aspx?recordId=96. The quoted sentence was chap. 2, para. 2.3.