Strength and weakness of multicultural and multi-lingualism?

Answer 1

Multiculturalism has arisen is an historical context and one needs to look in North America at the context in which it occurred to understand its positives and shortcomings. After WW11 the policies of Assimilation were brought into question as a result of the Genocide based on racial ideologies perpetuating economic and social control of Dominant powers. Shortly following this political context it was decided to adopt more pluralistic approaches to Immigration policy. This included an attempt at tolerance of difference as opposed to the melting pot ideology.

The strengths of this were more around Durkheimian Theory of group solidarity, creating a feeling of belonging and ethnic identity as opposed to the alienation experienced in this complex Capitalist world. The weaknesses of this can be seen in that muticulturism is in essence ineffective in dealing with real social inequalities, racism and Angol dominance. Infact as long as it does not challenge Anglo Dominant ideologies it is promoted. It is even used as an ideological tool by the Dominant Governments of the day to keep the appearance of tolerance alive. In fact many of the programs such as educational workshops promote racism as being an individualistic ignorant mindset as opposed to owning it as a systemic political tool in the form of policy and strategy. It may also fail in it being too effective in hardening stereotypes and thus furthering ghettoizing or ethnic enclaves. It also is seen to promote cultural relativism as opposed to owning a national truth. Although arguments in Canada are that "liberal" multiculturalism exists that does reinforce a national yardstick of measurement. Example female circumcision was banned although it was considered a culturally relative right by certain groups. It is also seen to marginalize some ethnic groups further at the ironic attempt of greater acceptance of them. Finally it may be seen by certain groups to undermine their individual claims, such as Land Rights of Aboriginals or nationalism of Francophones. Ultimately in the light of North American terrorism, such as 9/11, many critics blame it on these policies of allowing all "cultures" to prevail alongside. Quebec has adopted a policy of Interculturism as opposed to Multiculturism where the maintance of French involves the protection and preservation of its'culture. It also moves away from the descriptive pluralism running side by side and embraces interwoven cultures that are still part of a National unity defined by its language.