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.

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      Pluralistic multiculturalism meaning

      Pluralistic multiculturalism (also called pluralist multiculturalism or pluralism) refers to societies where people can maintain their different cultural and religious identities.

      Pluralist Multiculturalism image showing 4 hands of different skin colours supporting each other StudySmarterFig. 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.

      The salad bowl theory refers to the idea that many different components in a salad have all been mixed together. Even though all of these ingredients are mixed together, you can still distinguish the individual components. You can clearly distinguish the lettuce from the tomatoes and the olives from the dressing.

      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.

      Shallow diversity

      Refers to diversity that is limited by the acceptance of specific values.

      Value pluralism

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

      Value pluralism holds that one cannot say that one way of life or belief system is better or superior to another.

      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

      Indonesia is often cited as an example of a pluralistic society. And although Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, the country is also religiously and ethnically pluralistic. The Indonesian government is strongly secular, which prevents the dominant religious groups (in this case, Islam) from imposing their beliefs on others.Furthermore, the secular nature of the Indonesian government ensures that the protection of religious minorities such as Christians and Hindus is enshrined in law. In Indonesian society, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and many other religions live peacefully alongside Muslims. Indonesia’s national motto is ‘Unity in Diversity’.

      Pluralist Multiculturalism, map and flag of Indonesia, StudySmarterFig. 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.

      In New York, there are places Jewish communities predominantly inhabit in which one can see Jewish people walking around freely in their religious dress. In New York, there are even measures to help Jews observe the weekly Sabbath.Throughout the United States, one can find areas affectionately referred to as ‘Little India’ or ‘Chinatown’. These ethnic enclaves exist in many cities across the US.

      Pluralist Multiculturalism, image of a stereotyped Chinatown building StudySmarterFig. 3 - Chinatown

      In Chicago, there is a neighbourhood known as ‘Little Italy’ where people of Italian descent have preserved their native culture and customs for generations.In New York City, recognised holidays have been added to the public school calendar for major religious festivals such as Christmas, Rosh Hashanah, Eid and Hannukah. There are also Amish communities in the US that are free to maintain their traditions.

      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.

      Pluralist Multiculturalism - Key takeaways

      • Pluralistic multiculturalism refers to societies where individuals can preserve their own cultural and religious identities.
      • The salad bowl theory refers to the idea that many different components in a salad have all been mixed together. Even though all of these ingredients are mixed together, you can still distinguish the individual components.
      • Pluralism rejects superficial diversity and advocates an approach in which diversity is not conditional.
      • In liberal multiculturalism, diversity is welcomed only if it is consistent with liberalist ideals.
      • Isaiah Berlin advocated the idea of value pluralism, the idea that one cannot say that one way of life or belief system is better or superior to another.
      • The goal of pluralistic multiculturalism is to promote diversity and tolerance without compromising unity.

      References

      1. Fig. 1 - Hands (https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/hands_6567019?term=multicultural&page=1&position=3&page=1&position=3&related_id=6567019&origin=tag) by freepik (https://www.flaticon.com/authors/freepik) licensed by flaticon licence (https://www.freepikcompany.com/legal?&_ga=2.257640395.152974019.1670934600-1482576212.1663683761&_gl=1*122etqm*test_ga*MTQ4MjU3NjIxMi4xNjYzNjgzNzYx*test_ga_523JXC6VL7*MTY3MDkzNDYwMi40LjEuMTY3MDkzNTYxNS41Ny4wLjA.*fp_ga*MTQ4MjU3NjIxMi4xNjYzNjgzNzYx*fp_ga_1ZY8468CQB*MTY3MDkzNDYwMi40LjEuMTY3MDkzNTYxNS41Ny4wLjA.#nav-flaticon)
      2. Fig. 2 - Indonesia (https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/indonesia_5399569?term=indonesia&page=1&position=6&page=1&position=6&related_id=5399569&origin=search) by Agung Rama (https://www.flaticon.com/authors/agung-rama) licensed by flaticon licence (https://www.freepikcompany.com/legal?&_ga=2.257640395.152974019.1670934600-1482576212.1663683761&_gl=1*122etqm*test_ga*MTQ4MjU3NjIxMi4xNjYzNjgzNzYx*test_ga_523JXC6VL7*MTY3MDkzNDYwMi40LjEuMTY3MDkzNTYxNS41Ny4wLjA.*fp_ga*MTQ4MjU3NjIxMi4xNjYzNjgzNzYx*fp_ga_1ZY8468CQB*MTY3MDkzNDYwMi40LjEuMTY3MDkzNTYxNS41Ny4wLjA.#nav-flaticon)
      3. Fig. 3 - Chinatown (https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/china-town_1457287?term=china%20town&page=1&position=5&page=1&position=5&related_id=1457287&origin=search) by freepik (https://www.flaticon.com/authors/freepik) licensed by flaticon licence (https://www.freepikcompany.com/legal?&_ga=2.257640395.152974019.1670934600-1482576212.1663683761&_gl=1*122etqm*test_ga*MTQ4MjU3NjIxMi4xNjYzNjgzNzYx*test_ga_523JXC6VL7*MTY3MDkzNDYwMi40LjEuMTY3MDkzNTYxNS41Ny4wLjA.*fp_ga*MTQ4MjU3NjIxMi4xNjYzNjgzNzYx*fp_ga_1ZY8468CQB*MTY3MDkzNDYwMi40LjEuMTY3MDkzNTYxNS41Ny4wLjA.#nav-flaticon)
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      Frequently Asked Questions about Pluralist Multiculturalism

      What is pluralistic multiculturalism?

      Pluralistic multiculturalism (also called pluralist multiculturalism or pluralism) refers to societies where people can maintain their different cultural and religious identities.

      What forms a pluralist society?

      The presence of many different values and beliefs that are all integrated into society without assimilation.

      Is the US a pluralistic society?

      The US has pluralistic tendencies but is not an entirely pluralistic society. 

      What is an example of cultural pluralism?

      Indonesia is an example of cultural pluralism as many different and distinct cultures are accepted within the society.

      What is the goal of a pluralistic society?

      The goal of a pluralistic society is to promote diversity, acceptance and protect individual liberties.

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