Interculturalism
Encyclopedia
Interculturalism is the philosophy
of exchanges between cultural groups within a society, as used by nationalists of the Canadian province of Quebec
. Quebeckers have historically been sensitive to any perceived degradation of their heritage. A rise in separatism
since the 1960s has caused significant opposition to the federal policies of multiculturalism
, which in Canada
guarantees support of vibrant minority communities. This is seen as encouraging the loyalty and civic participation of new immigrants, which small nations like Canada are dependent on economically.
Germany
, in contrast, has expelled migrants when their labor was no longer needed, rather explicitly categorizing their relation to Germany as one of convenience. The 'ghettos' associated with multiculturalism are considered by proponents of the Canadian federal policies to be actually preventing the appearance of unilingual ghettos, as Turks
in Germany for instance have no loyalty to Germany and no affinity for its language or culture.
Counter-arguments to proponents of the Quebec separatist notion of 'interculturalism' focus both on teaching the dominant culture as well as that of the immigrant, and making the host society more open-minded and thus more appealing or feasible for integration.
Various states have intercultural policies which seek to encourage the socialization
of citizens of different origins. These policies are often ostensibly used as an instrument to fight racism
.
Interculturalism requires an inherent openness to be exposed to the culture of the "other". Once a person is exposed to an element of a different culture, a dialogue will ensue, where everyone embarks upon understanding the culture of the other, and usually this involves comparisons. Thus, interculturalism breeds dialogue, in order to be able to look for commonalities between that element of one's culture and the culture of the other.
Interculturalism seeks to enhance fusion by looking for commonalities. Hence, various cultures merge. The differences that remain make up the subcultures of the world.
is said by proponents of interculturalism, to be an ideology that postulates that all cultures and civilizations are of equal value and should be treated and promoted equally within the same nation. Multiculturalism is often confused with political pluralism, and with ethnic and linguistic diversity, or with interculturalism.
Interculturalism is a political ideology that does not place a priority for all cultures to be on the same level as a basis to organize a given society. Its main objective is rather to develop a common civic culture based on the values of freedom and liberty, and of human rights, as derived from Western civilization, while encouraging interaction between the communities living in the same country. As such, interculturalism requires democracy
and full respect for universal human rights.
(Multiculturalism has this implicit requirement, particularly in nations like Canada where such expectations are already enforced through acts like the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982).
The insistence on a 'common civic culture' necessarily means a degree of assimilation, leading to the possible interpretation of interculturalism as being an Orwellian
term. This is to say, it is no different than assimilation while allowing minorities to be distinct privately, and that the word itself was invented by the nationalist political actors to distract from this. Most nations have 'Little Italies' or 'Chinatowns' that are of course bound to oblige certain principal high ideals and characteristics of the host nation. It is clearly in countries where the dominant culture is perceived as the guarantor of minorities that loyalty is increased, rather than in European nation-states where ghetto dwellers do not integrate. Australia
, Canada, the United States
and to a significant degree the United Kingdom
are far less harmed by that reality.
Interculturalism promotes individual rights for everyone, with no discrimination. This means, in particular, that people have the right to maintain an affiliation with one's ethnic group and the right for cultural and religious differences to be tolerated in the public domain. However, interculturalism claims that the entire society must adhere to the same constitution of fundamental rights and obligations, with no exception. It does not accept that cultural differences are used as an excuse to reduce the rights of certain groups. This approach leads to an ethics of maximum tolerance for an individual's choices and of minimum tolerance for totalitarian and theocratic systems of ideas that could undermine the very foundations of a democratic society.
This interpretation, however, is explicitly in opposition to the position taken by Québécois separatist groups, However, as they ascribe higher importance to collective rights (of French-Quebeckers specifically) than the individual rights which English Canada
and federalist Quebeckers favour. For example, the collective right of Quebec to have a veto over all future constitutional changes superseded, in their interpretation, the individual rights of a majority of Canadians to vote for changes with a 50% + 1 majority, or even a 99% majority without a veto override.
References:
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
of exchanges between cultural groups within a society, as used by nationalists of the Canadian province of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. Quebeckers have historically been sensitive to any perceived degradation of their heritage. A rise in separatism
Secessionist movements of Canada
Throughout the history of Canada, there have been movements seeking secession from Canada.-Newfoundland:There is a secessionist movement in Newfoundland based on its unique culture and its history, prior to 1949, of being a self-governing Dominion...
since the 1960s has caused significant opposition to the federal policies of multiculturalism
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
, which in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
guarantees support of vibrant minority communities. This is seen as encouraging the loyalty and civic participation of new immigrants, which small nations like Canada are dependent on economically.
Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, in contrast, has expelled migrants when their labor was no longer needed, rather explicitly categorizing their relation to Germany as one of convenience. The 'ghettos' associated with multiculturalism are considered by proponents of the Canadian federal policies to be actually preventing the appearance of unilingual ghettos, as Turks
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
in Germany for instance have no loyalty to Germany and no affinity for its language or culture.
Counter-arguments to proponents of the Quebec separatist notion of 'interculturalism' focus both on teaching the dominant culture as well as that of the immigrant, and making the host society more open-minded and thus more appealing or feasible for integration.
Various states have intercultural policies which seek to encourage the socialization
Socialization
Socialization is a term used by sociologists, social psychologists, anthropologists, political scientists and educationalists to refer to the process of inheriting and disseminating norms, customs and ideologies...
of citizens of different origins. These policies are often ostensibly used as an instrument to fight racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
.
Interculturalism requires an inherent openness to be exposed to the culture of the "other". Once a person is exposed to an element of a different culture, a dialogue will ensue, where everyone embarks upon understanding the culture of the other, and usually this involves comparisons. Thus, interculturalism breeds dialogue, in order to be able to look for commonalities between that element of one's culture and the culture of the other.
Interculturalism seeks to enhance fusion by looking for commonalities. Hence, various cultures merge. The differences that remain make up the subcultures of the world.
Interculturalism vs Multiculturalism
Within a country, a distinction may be drawn between interculturalism and multiculturalism. Indeed, multiculturalismMulticulturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
is said by proponents of interculturalism, to be an ideology that postulates that all cultures and civilizations are of equal value and should be treated and promoted equally within the same nation. Multiculturalism is often confused with political pluralism, and with ethnic and linguistic diversity, or with interculturalism.
Interculturalism is a political ideology that does not place a priority for all cultures to be on the same level as a basis to organize a given society. Its main objective is rather to develop a common civic culture based on the values of freedom and liberty, and of human rights, as derived from Western civilization, while encouraging interaction between the communities living in the same country. As such, interculturalism requires democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and full respect for universal human rights.
(Multiculturalism has this implicit requirement, particularly in nations like Canada where such expectations are already enforced through acts like the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982).
The insistence on a 'common civic culture' necessarily means a degree of assimilation, leading to the possible interpretation of interculturalism as being an Orwellian
Orwellian
"Orwellian" describes the situation, idea, or societal condition that George Orwell identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free society...
term. This is to say, it is no different than assimilation while allowing minorities to be distinct privately, and that the word itself was invented by the nationalist political actors to distract from this. Most nations have 'Little Italies' or 'Chinatowns' that are of course bound to oblige certain principal high ideals and characteristics of the host nation. It is clearly in countries where the dominant culture is perceived as the guarantor of minorities that loyalty is increased, rather than in European nation-states where ghetto dwellers do not integrate. Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Canada, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and to a significant degree the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
are far less harmed by that reality.
Interculturalism promotes individual rights for everyone, with no discrimination. This means, in particular, that people have the right to maintain an affiliation with one's ethnic group and the right for cultural and religious differences to be tolerated in the public domain. However, interculturalism claims that the entire society must adhere to the same constitution of fundamental rights and obligations, with no exception. It does not accept that cultural differences are used as an excuse to reduce the rights of certain groups. This approach leads to an ethics of maximum tolerance for an individual's choices and of minimum tolerance for totalitarian and theocratic systems of ideas that could undermine the very foundations of a democratic society.
This interpretation, however, is explicitly in opposition to the position taken by Québécois separatist groups, However, as they ascribe higher importance to collective rights (of French-Quebeckers specifically) than the individual rights which English Canada
English Canada
English Canada is a term used to describe one of the following:# English-speaking Canadians, as opposed to French-speaking Canadians. It is employed when comparing English- and French-language literature, media, or art...
and federalist Quebeckers favour. For example, the collective right of Quebec to have a veto over all future constitutional changes superseded, in their interpretation, the individual rights of a majority of Canadians to vote for changes with a 50% + 1 majority, or even a 99% majority without a veto override.
See also
- CosmopolitanismCosmopolitanismCosmopolitanism is the ideology that all human ethnic groups belong to a single community based on a shared morality. This is contrasted with communitarian and particularistic theories, especially the ideas of patriotism and nationalism...
- Criticism of multiculturalismCriticism of multiculturalismCriticism of multiculturalism questions the multicultural ideal of the co-existence of distinct ethnic cultures within one nation-state. Multiculturalism is a particular subject of debate in certain European nations that were once associated with a single, homogeneous, national cultural identity...
- Cross-culturalCross-culturalcross-cultural may refer to*cross-cultural studies, a comparative tendency in various fields of cultural analysis*cross-cultural communication, a field of study that looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds communicate...
- Intercultural citiesIntercultural citiesThe Intercultural City programme is a joint project of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. It aims at stimulating new ideas and practice in relation to the integration of migrants and minorities....
- Intercultural communicationIntercultural communicationIntercultural communication is a form of global communication. It is used to describe the wide range of communication problems that naturally appear within an organization made up of individuals from different religious, social, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. Intercultural communication is...
- Intercultural competenceIntercultural competenceIntercultural competence is the ability of successful communication with people of other cultures.A person who is interculturally competent captures and understands, in interaction with people from foreign cultures, their specific concepts in perception, thinking, feeling and acting...
- InterculturalityInterculturalityThe term interculturality refers to any aspect of any interaction between any cultures.-Description:A culture is understood as a group of people with a common identity that is based on common attributes, attitudes, practices and so on...
- MulticulturalismMulticulturalismMulticulturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
- TolerationTolerationToleration is "the practice of deliberately allowing or permitting a thing of which one disapproves. One can meaningfully speak of tolerating, ie of allowing or permitting, only if one is in a position to disallow”. It has also been defined as "to bear or endure" or "to nourish, sustain or preserve"...
- TransculturationTransculturationTransculturation is a term coined by Cuban anthropologist Fernando Ortiz in 1940 to describe the phenomenon of merging and converging cultures....
References:
Further reading
- Open secularism, interculturalism, the fight against discrimination and guidelines for accommodation—Bouchard-Taylor Commission http://www.accommodements.qc.ca/communiques/2008-05-22a-en.html
- Bouchard, Gerard et al, Interculturalism: a model for integration, in the Montreal Gazette March 2, 2011
- Bennett, Milton J. (1998) Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication. Intercultural Press, Boston, MA.
- Kohls, L. Robert; Knight, John M. (1994). Developing Intercultural Awareness. Intercultural Press, Boston, MA.
- Storti, Craig. (1994). Cross- Cultural Dialogues. Intercultural Press, Boston, MA.