The ‘Failure’ of Multiculturalism

Abstract

The notion of the ‘failure of multiculturalism’ has confused rather than assisted a debate about how we learn to live together in an increasingly interdependent and interconnected world. ‘Multiculturalism’ can simply describe the modern reality of most countries in that, alongside the majority population and indigenous peoples, there are now a large number of migrant groups from different ethnic and faith backgrounds at various stages of permanent settlement. This is a descriptive reality for most countries around the world. In this sense — and save for the most exceptional and extreme views — the argument that multiculturalism has failed simply because of the multicultural nature of modern societies, has seldom been advanced. The reference to ‘failure’ is based upon the perception that the policies of multiculturalism have been an inadequate response to the changing composition of societies. The debate about ‘failure’ has nevertheless contributed to a popular view that it is indeed the very presence of people from many different backgrounds that somehow poses a threat to social stability and solidarity. It is also the case that multicultural policies have, as yet, failed to deliver fair, stable and harmonious societies, at least as judged by both the objective reality (significant levels of inequality, racism and community tensions) and the subjective reality (continued emotional resistance to diversity and a desire to halt or reverse the trend).