Multiculturalism and an Overarching Framework of Values: Some Educational Responses for Ethnically Plural Societies

Abstract

In a society composed of more than one ethnic group, there can exist a variety of relationships between the dominant (frequently the majority) group and the minorities (Smolicz, 1979). If such a society is governed by a degree of consensus, rather than coercion, there must have evolved a set of shared values that oznerarch the various ethnic groups. Within such a cultural 'umbrella', ethnic groups may retain certain core values, such as a distinct language, family tradition or religion (Smolicz, 1981a) . We thus have a dynamic equilibrium established between the overarching or shared values of the country, on the one hand, and ethnic core values on the other. The dominant group exhibits its own set of majority values, many of which have percolated into the overarching framework. Such shared values should not be regarded, however, as the majority's own 'private domain', but as the common possession of all the citizens. To take an example, the overarching framework that has evolved in Australian society relates to the upholding of the western democratic political tradition; the concept of man as worthy of freedom and respect; economic pluralism whereby individuals can advance themselves according to merit; and the English language as the basic value for all Australians. Although these shared values may largely originate in the heritage of the Anglo-Saxon group, they ultimately become the property of all groups. There is, for example, an accumulation of research evidence that ethnic groups recognise the importance of English as an overarching value, in the sense that it is indispensable for communication among all Australians and the principal vehicle for the political, economic, and legal activities of society (Marioribanks, 1979, 1980; Smolicz & Secombe, 1977, 1983). However, the acceptance of English by all the ethnic groups is based upon the understanding that, for those who wish to preserve their native tongue, English represents an additional language, rather than the sole and unique means of communication.