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 has not been clearly 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 between 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). 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
treatedas such . 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 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
Inessa Krajnc
Aver
age
Po
or
xx
xx
3a) Is the question raised
important/relevant/interesting?
3b) Has this question not been fully
answered in the text?
x
x
x
x
xx
x
Needs to be rephrased.
x
x
Elaborate and clarify.
xx
x
Further comments:
Yes/no questions should be
avoided, I see the point but
maybe it needs some rewriting.
The author mentions what this
means for the policy making in
practice and that is why he is
writing about the distinctions
between the two key concepts.
Elaborate on the practical part
(theory-practice).
x
x
6) Have the implications been well
understood, can they have a practical
impact for policy making?
Essay grade: 7,5 (10 max)
Comments
The importance of
multiculturalism as a policy has to
be elaborated further.
4) Is the experiential connection
relevant/interesting?
7) Expression/Presentation
a) Are the style, grammar and general
use of English adequate?
b) Is the AQCI professionally presented?
16-10-2015
Addresses the problem of the
meaning of the key concept.
2) Has the main argument been fully
understood (including its ‘for’ and
‘against’ sides, if applicable)?
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?
Not
accept
able
Date:
x
xx
x
The practical part is missing.