AQCI 2 Rex – The concept of a multicultural society (2001)
Claire Slingsby
16-10-2015
European Policy and Practice towards Ethnic Minorities
Antonin Mikeš
Charles University
1. Central quotation
‘’What I am going to suggest in this essay is that a new goal has become widely accepted in British race
relations, namely that of the multicultural society, but that the meaning of this term remains remarkably
obscure. One of the first and central tasks of a Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations must be to clarify its
meaning, because it is in relation to the meaning given to the concept that our various specific researches fall
into place’’ (Rex, 2001, p. 206).
2. Argument
Rex (2001) argues that the concept of the multicultural society not clearly is defined which leads to
confusion and multiple meanings. He argues against treating multiculturalism and equality as the same,
which is often being done nowadays because of this confusion. Rex (2001) makes his argument by
distinguishing plural and multicultural societies, public (where the notion of equality persists) and private
(where the notion of diversity persists) domains and how these domains relate to each other (think for
example of education, or ethnic social work). This is Rex’s argument, his value standpoint.
3. Question
Rex (2001) has made clear that there are a lot of different meanings, standpoints and interpretations
regarding the concept of the multicultural society. I wonder; will the social sciences ever come to an
agreement on what the concept ‘multicultural society’ exactly means? How much use is it to have all these
different interpretations? Are we actually slowly coming towards a common meaning or is that never going
to happen? I think the text would have been more complete if Rex would have provided more information
about the possible development of coming towards a universal meaning of the multicultural society. I’m
aware that it is really difficult to discuss these kinds of questions since we can’t really look into the future.
But maybe Rex could have given his opinion on if he thinks the concept will be clearer in the future.
4. Experiential connection
I’ve actually never realized how many different interpretations there are of the concept of the multicultural
society. I have always just simply thought that such a society is a society in which multiple cultures exist.
But I see now that there are many different ways in which the multicultural society can take form, and this
chapter has only showed us one. Not really an interesting experiential connection, I had a hard time thinking
of one.
5. Textual connection
The text by Rex (2001) about the concept of the multicultural society can be connected to the text by Kuper
(2001) on plural societies. Rex (2001) points out that the notion of the multicultural society in which people
are treated differently shouldn’t be confused with the notion of the plural society in which people are treated
equally. The following quote demonstrates this; ''(...) and offers a conception (or ideal type) of the pluralistic
society, in which the pluralism of the varied constituent groups and interests is integrated in a balanced
adjustment, which provides conditions favourable to stable democratic government'' (Kuper, 2001, p. 220).
You can see the notion of equality seeping through here which according to Rex (2001) shouldn’t be found
in the multicultural society.
6. Implications
If we can come to a clearer definition of the concept of the multicultural society, it would probably make
discussions and policy-making regarding this topic easier. But also if we don't come to a clearer concept, it's
good to realize that there are several meanings and interpretations attached to the concept of
multiculturalism. Policy makers should define very clearly what they understand under multiculturalism so
that confusion gets avoided.
References
Kuper, L. (2001). ‘Plural societies’. In Guibernau, Montserrat & Rex (eds), The Ethnicity Reader.
Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration. (pp. 220-227). Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
Rex, J. (2001). ‘The concept of a multicultural society’. In Guibernau, Montserrat & Rex (eds), The
Ethnicity Reader. Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration. (pp. 205-220). Cambridge, UK:
Polity Press.
AQCI ASSESSMENT FORM
Student’s
name:
Claire Slingsby
Essay title:
AQCI 2 Rex – The concept of a multicultural society (2001)
Name of
assessor:
Excel
lent
1) Is the chosen quotation central to the
author’s argument?
Go
od
Date:
Aver
age
Po
or
x
x
2) Has the main argument been fully
understood (including its ‘for’ and
‘against’ sides, if applicable)?
x
3a) Is the question raised
important/relevant/interesting?
3b) Has this question not been fully
answered in the text?
x
x
4) Is the experiential connection
relevant/interesting?
x
5a) Is the textual connection
relevant/interesting?
5b) Has it been cited properly?
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
x
x
6) Have the implications been well
understood, can they have a practical
impact for policy making?
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
Not
accept
able
Comments
16-10-2015