Multiculturalism Challenged by New Theories Essay

On the other hand, multiculturalism appears to be automatic in conceding division (Werbner, 2006).

In multicultural societies, issues of bias and racism invariably summon political leaders whose base of power is dependent on division. This is contrary with cosmopolitan societies, which considers division unworldly and rude. While one society keeps its opening up its wounds, the other one tends to let its wounds heal by themselves. This means that one society is healthy while the other one is unhealthy. Multiculturalism exists. This has been evidenced by Lebanon and USSR. During the Apartheid era, South Africa was based on multiculturalism, whereby power was shared in an uneven manner. It is not necessary that multicultural societies are doomed to fail, but it is common that most of them have cannot withstand the test of time (Werbner, 2006).

Conclusion

Cosmopolitanism and multiculturalism policies have been strong indicators of strong societies. While one reflects the presence of one dominating group, the other one reflects a society where all groups are equal tolerating the existence of new comers in the society. In the case of Australia, there is no dominant group. Human tolerance looks upon commonality of ideas and institutions, as well as feelings of common values, which must be respected.Currently, Australia has the highest rate of immigration in the world. While total assimilation has not been necessary or desirable, people in Australia have accepted the shared and common aspects of different societies. It is possible for Australia to dispense multiculturalism policies. This can be replaced with common cultural aspects celebrating cultural differences across the society. This is likely to place Australia as the 21st century global example (Sobe, 2009).

References

Ang, I. & Stratton, J. (1998). Multiculturalism in Crisis: The New Politics of Race and National Identity in Australia. Topia: Canadian Journal of Cultural Studies 2, 22-41

Delanty, G. (2006). The cosmopolitan imagination: critical cosmopolitanism and social theory. The British Journal of Sociology, 57(1), 25-47.

Leeman, Y. & Reid, C. (2006). Multi/Intercultural Education in Australia and the Netherlands. Compare: A Journal of Comparative Education, 36 (1), 57-72

Rizvi, F. (2008). Epistemic Virtues and Cosmopolitan Learning Radford Lecture, Adelaide Australia 27 November 2006. The Australian Educational Researcher, 35 (1), 13-35

Sobe, N.W. (2009). Rethinking "Cosmopolitanism" as an Analytic for the Comparative Study of Globalization and Education. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 12 (1), 6-13

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