Pluralist Multiculturalism

What is pluralistic multiculturalism? How does pluralism differ from liberal multiculturalism? Is a fully pluralistic society possible? This article will answer these questions and more by looking at pluralistic multiculturalism. Pluralistic multiculturalism, or pluralism as it is often called, is a topic you will encounter in your political studies of multiculturalism.

Pluralistic multiculturalism meaning

Fig. 1 - Pluralist multiculturalism

Instead of a process of cultural assimilation, where cultures and religions are merged into an overarching majority culture, each individual is accepted and integrated into society while being able to maintain their own cultural practices. Pluralism places more emphasis on integration than assimilation. Pluralism advocates diversity. In other words, diversity is not only a healthy component of society, but also a desirable component.

Pluralistic multiculturalism theory

The ‘salad bowl’ theory is often used as an example to understand pluralistic multiculturalism.

This theory is very different from the ‘melting pot theory’, where everything is mixed together, and the ingredients are indistinguishable. You can think of it as a fruit salad versus a fruit smoothie. The salad bowl theory states that an individual doesn’t need to give up their cultural or religious background to be accepted into society.

Pluralism diversity

Diversity within pluralism is a crucial concept. Pluralism rejects shallow diversity and advocates an approach in which diversity is unconditional. Superficial diversity is the kind of diversity found in concepts such as liberal multiculturalism. In liberal multiculturalism, diversity is welcomed only if it is consistent with liberal ideals. Pluralists would argue that notions of diversity that include restrictions on what is and is not acceptable do not promote true diversity.

Value pluralism

Isaiah Berlin is an essential figure in the field of pluralistic multiculturalism. Berlin advocated the idea of value pluralism.

Berlin rejects the idea of monism, which asserts that there is a single and correct answer to a question. Thus, concerning what beliefs should be upheld in society, monism would claim that a single set of values (e.g., liberal or conservative values) are the only correct values for a society.

Berlin argues that as humans, we inevitably differ in our opinions about what is the best way to do things. These differences in beliefs and values are, therefore, part of being human. As a liberal, however, this form of pluralism was largely rooted in liberal ideologies, and Berlin was unable to show how liberal and non-liberal beliefs could coexist in society.

Pluralistic multiculturalism examples

Pluralism is often criticised as many question how society can hold together when people believe different things and have different practices or social needs. Let us look at some examples of pluralistic multiculturalism in the real world.

Indonesia

Fig. 2 - Indonesia

Even though Indonesia is touted as an example of pluralism, the question is whether a truly pluralistic society can exist. As mentioned earlier, the protection of religious groups such as Hindus and Christians is enshrined in law. However, many smaller religious communities do not enjoy the same legal protection or acceptance in Indonesian society, especially with the introduction of laws against blasphemy that seem to favour Islamic religious beliefs.

United States

In the United States, New York City serves as an example of a pluralistic, multicultural society with many different cultural identities and religions that are not forced to assimilate into a monoculture.

While the US can serve as an example of pluralism, it is not a pluralistic society in its entirety. There is a drive to reject those whose culture does not seem to conform to ‘American ideals’ in the US. The US is likely to be a liberal, multicultural society with pluralistic elements rather than a fully pluralistic society. For example, many Muslims in the US are discriminated against because Islam is often misinterpreted as not being in line with US liberal ideals.While representative of pluralistic societies, the two examples above are not always fully pluralistic, which raises the question of whether a fully pluralistic society is even possible. Many critics of pluralism argue that civic cohesion is not possible under pluralism.

Pluralistic multiculturalism goals

The goal of pluralistic multiculturalism is to promote diversity and tolerance without compromising unity. Pluralistic multiculturalism celebrates and embraces the differences of individuals and groups. Rather than asserting one right faith or culture to follow, pluralism allows for many different expressions of values and beliefs. Diversity is seen as healthy and desirable, and pluralistic multiculturalism seeks to preserve and protect freedom while creating arenas for understanding and debate among cultures.