Towards post-multiculturalism?

Transcription

1 Towards post-multiculturalism? Prof. Dr. Steven Vertovec Max-Planck-Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity

2 Towards post-multiculturalism? 1. Multiculturalism 2. Challenges to multiculturalism 3. In response: policies & public opinion 4. Post-multiculturalism? -- copy of powerpoint from

3 1. Multiculturalism Not new in history (esp. empires, colonies) Need for governance of linguistically, culturally and religiously heterogeneous groups in order to ensure: non-alienation (at least to ensure rule or policy delivery); limitation of conflict (at least not to hurt dominant group); smooth functioning of society (at least the economy)

4 Multiculturalism and immigration from 1970s Corrective to Assimilation Policies/Structures meant to: Ensure equality, respect, tolerance Enable continuity of traditions and identities

5 Structures of Multicul. Representation in local forums ( community leaders ) Public support for community associations, activities Culturally sensitive service provision (in schools, healthcare, policing, social work, courts, etc.) -- based on corporatist model of ethnic groups

6 Multicul. in public policy I Public recognition : support for organizations, facilities, activities; consultative bodies Education: dress & gender issues; sensitive & promotional curricula; mother tongue teaching & language support; own schools Providing public materials in multiple languages (e.g. health promotion)

7 Multicul.in public policy II Law: e.g. exceptions; oaths; marriage/divorce; inheritance; protection from discrimination & incitement to hatred Religious accommodation: places of worship; cemeteries and funerary rites; time-off for worship Food: ritual slaughter, provision in public institutions Broadcasting & media: positive images; own facilities

8 By early 1990s Multiculturalism everywhere Multicultural Mathematics (1993) Medical Practice in a Multicultural Society (1988) Dance: A Multicultural Perspective (1986) Multicultural Pharmaceutical Education (1993) Counselling and Psychotherapy: Multicultural Perspective (1993) Managing Substance Abuse in a Multicultural Society (1994) Marginality: The Key to Multicultural Theology (1995) Marketing in a Multicultural World (1995) Multiculturalism: Criminal Law (1991) Multicultural Public Relations (1995) Multicultural Manners: New Rules of Etiquette (1995) Nathan Glazer: We are all Multiculturalists Now (1997)

9 2. Challenges to multiculturalism Socio-economic indicators Low educational attainment high unemployment poor jobs low income bad quality housing extreme segregation highest rate of ill health largest households little social mobility Unemployment Germany,

10 New immigration Challenges Too many, too fast, too diverse?

11 But confused public?

12 Challenges New immigration: transnationalism Ongoing ties with places of origin / diaspora Social (family), religious, political Migrant transnationalism entails: homeland-oriented political activity - Questions of loyalty dual citizenship - Questions of allegiance Cross-border multiple identity - Questions of integration

13 Challenges Islamophobia Islam is seen as monolithic, static, ahistorical Assumed incommensurable values, unassimilable group Seen as inferior, irrational, sexist Considered violent, demanding, threatening

14 Challenges parallel societies? residential segregation, effectively separate schools, different places of worship, disparate community associations, discrete social networks, discrete places of leisure

15 Challenges Security concerns Difference & dissatisfaction leading to extremism, conflict or terrorism?

16 Challenges Public discourse: turn against diversity? suggests Multiculturalism = accentuated/preserved difference; separateness social breakdown no common values? political correctness

17 3. In response to such challenges, new political calls for: integration sense of common citizenship shared values strengthened civic/national identity social cohesion immigration limits... and especially, rejecting multiculturalism

18 New policy initiatives: Integration and Cohesion Citizenship in school curricula Classes for immigrants -- history, customs, services Stress on language acquisition Citizenship tests: Knowledge based? Ceremonies for new citizens Citizenship/Integration Day Gesinnungstest? But what is an immigrant supposed to integrate into, and when is the process completed?

19 M[ulticulturalism]-word out, integration and cohesion in But diversity still very much in policy aims And few M-word policies/structures have actually been dismantled especially on local level

20 What are the effects of recent years of anti-multiculturalism public discourse on public opinions regarding immigrants and ethnic diversity?

21 European Commission Eurobarometer 2007: Almost three-quarters of EU citizens believe that people with a different background (ethnic, religious or national) enrich the cultural life of their country

22 European Commission Eurobarometer 2007: Day-to-day interaction among people belonging to different cultures is a reality in Europe

23 European Commission Eurobarometer 2007: Random encounters in public are most typical....over half (53%) of the intercultural exchanges took place in a public space (while out walking in the street, while shopping, etc).

24 Integration in urban life fleeting encounters Ephemeral, but may be regular Shared meanings, values, cooperation: expected, acceptable behaviour; principles for stranger interaction Basic, unspoken modes of civility: competence in everyday conventions of interaction including indifference to diversity

25 4. post-multiculturalism? Much anti-mulcult. noise in public discourse yet National policies have only slightly changed More integration, but still strong on diversity No return to assimilation Local policies have hardly changed Perhaps more inter-culturalism, but not new idea Public opinion hasn t gotten worse If anything, (surprisingly?) better

26 Concluding remark Social cohesion and national identity can coexist with a valuing of diversity in the public sphere, programmes to recognize and support cultural traditions, and institutional structures to provide ethnic minority community representation all without reference to the M-word

27 Max-Planck-Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity Max-Planck-Institut zur Erforschung multireligiöser und multiethnischer Gesellschaften Hermann-Föge-Weg 11, D Göttingen, Germany tel. +49/ , fax +49/