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 Sydney (Australia).

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.

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