AQCI 2 Rex
Madison Spigel
October 20th 2015
1. Central Quotation: “What I have tried to suggest is that a multicultural society must find a
place for both diversity and equality of opportunity. Emphasis upon the first without allowing
for the second could lead to segregationism, inequality, and differential incorporations.
Emphasis upon the second at the expense of the first could lead to an authoritarian form of
assimimlationism.” (Rex, 2001, p. 217-218)
2. Argument: Rex argues for an ideal version of a multicultural society. He states that there
must be an understanding of the separation of the public and private domain, which should
govern over distinct and separate parts of a minority’s life. With the allowance of diversity, by
the state and the majority people, in the private domain of the minority life (kinship, religion,
network of associations) a non-racist, functioning multicultural society can exist. This
allowance of diversity must also be accompanied by equal opportunity in the public domain of
life in regards to the law, politics, the economy, and education of skills of civic culture.
3. Question: Although Rex seemed to lay out the perfect multicultural society for minority
groups with strong cultural ties, religious affiliations, and moral guidelines. However, he did
not address cultures or generations within a culture that lack these qualities. Particularly in
regards to generations within a culture without strong social ties to that culture there can be a
dissonance resulting in a weakened tie to the private domain. This in-between state can be
hard in regards to source of identity and which culture these people come from. This group of
people disrupts Rex’s sound multicultural society and adds another dimension that could
agitate his sound solution.
4. Experiential Connection: Although I am part of the majority, a Korean friend of mine very
much experienced this separation of public and private domain. She went to public school but
had a very separate private domain life in which she had strong kinship ties, a large religious
network and private lessons she attended on religious and moral practices. In this regard she
was a perfect example for Rex living and creating a multicultural society.
5. Textual Connection: Kuper writes, “The typical plural society is a business partnership in
which bankruptcy signifies, for many partners, release rather than disaster.” (Kuper, 2001, p.
223) His views on the disasters of a pluralist society are in line with Rex’s. These two men
underscore the difference between a pluralist society and a multicultural one. One which
includes the minority and the other which uses them for economic gain while holding their
social and political rights at bay.
6. Implications: Although Rex explicitly states that he does not see this ever happening in the
future his ideas are still something we should strive for. Rex gives an explanation with
different options detailing how the government should interact with minority groups aiding
them in some areas and leaving them be in others. All governments should read his work and
try and apply these ideas in their societies. Both the minority groups as well as the majority
would be better off.
AQCI 2 Rex
Madison Spigel
October 20th 2015
-Rex, John (2001) “The concept of a multicultural society” in Guibernau, Montserrat and Rex, John
(eds): The Ethnicity Reader. Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration, Cambridge, UK: Polity
Press, pp. 205-220
-Kuper, Leo (2001) “Plural Societies” in Guibernau, Montserrat and Rex, John (eds): The Ethnicity
Reader. Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration, Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, pp. 220- 227
AQCI ASSESSMENT FORM
Student’s
name:
Madison Spigel
Essay title:
AQCI 2 Rex
Name of
assessor:
Excel
lent
1) Is the chosen quotation central to the
author’s argument?
Go
od
x
x
2) Has the main argument been fully
understood (including its ‘for’ and
‘against’ sides, if applicable)?
3a) Is the question raised
important/relevant/interesting?
3b) Has this question not been fully
answered in the text?
x
x
x
4) Is the experiential connection
relevant/interesting?
x
5a) Is the textual connection
relevant/interesting?
5b) Has it been cited properly?
x
x
5c) Has it been adequately explained how
the present text's argument contrasts with,
contradicts, confirms, clarifies, or
elaborates the other text's argument or
point?
x
6) Have the implications been well
understood, can they have a practical
impact for policy making?
Date:
Avera
ge
Po
or
Not
accepta
ble
Comments
20.10.15
AQCI 2 Rex
7) Expression/Presentation
a) Are the style, grammar and general use
of English adequate?
b) Is the AQCI professionally presented?
Essay grade:
Further comments:
x
x
Madison Spigel
October 20th 2015