Multiculturalism in a Global Society: Minority Rights and Justice

Abstract

Multiculturalism ensures that all citizens can keep their identities, can take pride in their ancestry and have a sense of belonging. Multiculturalism is a social doctrine that distinguishes itself as a positive alternative for policies of assimilation, connoting a politics of recognition of the citizenship rights and cultural identities of ethnic minority groups and an affirmation of the value of cultural diversity. The extent of culture maintenance by ethnic minority groups and their adaptation to majority group culture are two issues central to everyday thinking about multiculturalism. Much of the recent debate about multiculturalism and minority rights in western political theory has conceptualized the issues in terms of two alternatives states could either adopt procedural liberalism and equal rights or a politics of difference. In every society the state plays a vital role in fostering a sense of justice and common belonging.

Key Words: Multiculturalism, Minority Rights, Justice, Global Society