THE BROADER

APPLICABILITY OF
MULTICULTURALISM AS
A POLICY RESPONSE
 The broader applicability of
multiculturalism as a policy
response
o There is an urgent need to find durable policy models for
managing multi-ethnic societies, to prevent ethnic conflict and
violence.
o The political instability, economic changes and ever-increasing
levels of international migration which have contributed to the
increasing range and extent of inter-ethnic contacts show little
sign of abating.
o High levels of unemployment and strains in the welfare system
are contributing to ethnic conflict e.g., European and other
industrial societies.
o There is a sense that existing policy models are failing.
o Assimilation is not occurring as intended, hence there is a
growing sense of alienation among those from minority ethnic
backgrounds.
o The growing levels of international mobility. After arrival in a new
society the individuals will locate there permanently, which
happens either in short term or in longer term.
o Assimilation represents an unrealistic model even in those
immigrant societies which have used immigration as a means of
nation building.
o Failure to approach managing ethnic diversity can cause
increasingly pressing demands for social justice associated with a
strengthening of minority group solidarity.
• Many programs and strategies which are compatible with multicultural
policy model are being facilitate in many European countries.

• Challenge in adopting a multicultural policy lies the way the programs

are utilized.

• Multiculturalism does not consist one specific type of program or

strategy

• Effectiveness depends on the cumulative effect of various strategies.

HOW WIDELY APPLICABLE
IS A MULTICULTURALISM
AS A POLICY MODEL?
 The growing importance of
immigration raises the
possibility of the model being
applied

How widely applicable is a multiculturalism as a

policy model?

Manages ethnic
diversity which
resembles the Involved considerable
differentiatist, or less institutional change
frequently , the
assimilationist model.
• There are limits as to what a multiculturalist model can be expected to
achieve;
- In a situation in which extended and violent conflict occurs, any
attempt to reconcile will be problematic.
- When there is a long history of inter ethnic hostility and a
failure of alternative policy models exist in a multicultural society, a
multicultural society has a great responsibility to ‘turn around’ the
existing situation.
• The expectations given to the adoption of a multicultural policy should
be realistic, considering the difficulty of the task involved and the
issues to be worked through.