multiculturalism
A vibrant city street celebrates multiculturalism with food, music, and traditional clothing from around the world.
Noun: The policy, practice, or doctrine of recognizing, respecting, and promoting the coexistence of multiple distinct cultural groups within a single society, emphasizing equitable treatment and peaceful interaction rather than assimilation into a single national culture.
This term is used primarily in social, political, and educational contexts to describe an approach to diversity. - It functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the general concept or policy. - It can be used attributively (before another noun) to describe related things (e.g., multiculturalism policy).
- The country's official policy of multiculturalism encourages immigrants to maintain their traditions.
- Critics argue that multiculturalism can sometimes hinder social cohesion.
- The university promotes multiculturalism through its international student programs and cultural festivals.
- Critical Discourse: In academic and political debates, the term is often analyzed for its successes and failures in fostering integration versus segregation.
- The essay examines the challenges of implementing multiculturalism in urban centers.
- As a Societal Goal: Used to describe an ideal state of society.
- True multiculturalism requires more than just tolerance; it requires active engagement and understanding.
- Multicultural (adjective): Relating to or constituting several cultural or ethnic groups.
- a multicultural society
- Multiculturalist (noun/adjective): (A person) advocating for multiculturalism.
- The politician was a known multiculturalist.
- Cultural pluralism
- Ethnic diversity (though this describes a state, not a policy)
- Polyculturalism (a less common, related term)
- Assimilationism
- Monoculturalism
- Nationalism (in its cultural homogenizing sense)
- "A mosaic of cultures": A common metaphor used to describe a society built on multiculturalism, contrasting with the "melting pot" metaphor of assimilation.
- The nation views itself not as a melting pot but as a mosaic of cultures.
- "Celebrating diversity": A phrase closely associated with the aims of multiculturalism.
- The event is about celebrating diversity and the spirit of multiculturalism.
A vibrant city street celebrates multiculturalism with food, music, and traditional clothing from around the world.
- the doctrine that several different cultures (rather than one national culture) can coexist peacefully and equitably in a single country