Multicultural societies What is a "multicultural society"?  society in which people live together who have: - different ethnic origins - different religions - different cultural standards - different languages important political challenge nowadays: establishing and maintaining mutual respect/acceptance between different cultures preconditions for success: - tolerance - no fear of loss of identity  most societies are multicultural - respect for otherspersonal level - equal rights - equal opportunities state level

IntegrationAssimilation MarginalizationSeparation Is it considered valuable to maintain cultural identity and characteristics? Yes No Is it considered valuable to maintain relationships with other groups? Yes No original cultural identity is retained but harmonious relationships with other cultures are sought  equitable coexistence of different cultures, e.g. Switzerland, Canada if the dominant culture doesn't want any intercultural contact: forced separation = segregation/Apartheid if the non-dominant culture doesn't want it: seclusion (e.g. The Amish) if people neither retain their original cultural identity nor want to maintain positive contacts with the other groups result: confusion, alienation complete adoption of new culture Acculturation  grades of adaption/relationship to other cultures in multicultural societies

Phenomenon: Some immigrants try to conserve their culture by "cultivating" an extremely conservative lifestyle (sometimes more extreme than in their home countries) e.g.:- the Amish people - some people of German descent in the USA  Frankenmuth/Michigan ("Little Bavaria") - some people of Turkish descent in Germany  problems:- forced marriages - honour killings  also forbidden in Turkey! possible reasons: - fear of loss of identity/culture - feeling of inferiority inside another culture - individual lifestyle in Germany collectivist family values  loss of security that is provided by the family

Descriptions/ideas of the US multicultural society: (Synthesemodell): important elements of several cultures melt into one new culture : components (cultures) remain distinct but together give the whole pizza (society) a special flavour. All components are based on one common pizza dough (common ground/shared values). : multicultural society in which the different cultures remain distinct from each other melting-pot idea salad bowl pizza society

Integration policies/strategies: national/political level: - voting rights lower requirements for - naturalization  e.g. acceptance of dual citizenship equal opportunities  affirmative action(special support for underprivileged groups) example: women  financial support for language courses local level: schools: exchange programmes, tutoring programmes, language classes town/community: multicultural festivals,