Multiculturalism, a relatively new phenomenon: expert

Multiculturalism, a relatively new phenomenon: expert
The Hindu

DHARWAD: James Mayall, former Director of the Centre for International Studies, Cambridge University, has said that multiculturalism has moved to centre stage now, and its future has been called into question in the context of rapid globalisation and terrorist activities in some countries.

Delivering a special lecture on "Future of Multiculturalism," arranged under the joint auspices of Karnatak University and Dr. D.C. Pavate Foundation here on Tuesday, Prof. Mayall noted that while multicultural societies existed in the past, multiculturalism is a relatively new phenomenon.

Most of the modern States were originally created by conquest and maintained by force, and while some groups offered resistance, others merged their identities and gave up the struggle.

In Western societies, where people are living longer and have smaller families, people are not concerned with the social and political implications of this transfusion, and for them multiculturalism is not an option but a necessity, Prof. Mayall observed.

Uncontrolled influx of immigrants, he said, could lead to unpleasant confrontation with the local population and this poses a number of intractable ethical dilemmas for policymakers in the host countries, irrespective of their commitment to multicultural values. Building bridges with cultural minorities, without empowering leaders who are not actually representatives of their communities, is a major task, Prof. Mayall said. In a rapidly changing world, multiculturalism is merely a means to the next stage of societal evolution, he said.

Madhu Mehra said gender relations play a crucial role in the context of defining cultural identities. Much of the legislation brought by the Government is not in tune with different cultural practices inside a community and, hence, evoke opposition, she said.

Women are identified as custodians of culture but are denied many privileges offered by cultural practices.

Women are not projected as agents or political representatives of culture but as makers of it, she said.