Canadian Multiculturalism: Paradox & Ideology

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Questions and Answers

According to Justin Trudeau, what does Canadian multiculturalism embody?

  • The division and separation of diverse communities
  • The freedom and democracy upon which Canada was built (correct)
  • The challenges in fostering innovation and prosperity
  • The need to take diversity for granted

The paradox of multiculturalism involves balancing the safety of society 'for' and 'from' what?

  • Equality
  • Conformity
  • Diversity (correct)
  • Tradition

Before the introduction of the 1971 multiculturalism policy, which cultural norms dominated Canada?

  • American and British cultural norms
  • British and French cultural norms (correct)
  • Indigenous and Asian cultural norms
  • African and European cultural norms

Multiculturalism uses both political and ethnic sectors to advance goals and ambitions, making it what type of practice?

<p>A practice to acquire resources (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a goal of the 1990s Civic Multiculturalism?

<p>Orienting toward Canada-building by promoting a commonly shared citizenship (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of current Integrative Multiculturalism?

<p>Integrating immigrants into Canadian society (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The development of multiculturalism in Canada was partly influenced by the desire to distinguish Canada's national identity from which country?

<p>United States (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Critics from the political right argue that multiculturalism undermines which of the following?

<p>The historical tendency of immigrant groups to integrate and build a strong national identity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Critics from the political left argue that multiculturalism often fails to account for what aspect of ethnicity?

<p>How it is politically and socially constructed. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is interculturalism, as practiced in Quebec, primarily aimed at discouraging?

<p>Ethnic enclaves. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes multiculturalism as a 'social fact'?

<p>An empirical statement about 'what is', reflecting demographic composition. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to critics, how does multiculturalism risk 'Hardening Stereotypes'?

<p>By reducing people to the lowest common denominator, simplifying, and therefore devaluing culture. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential negative consequence of multiculturalism, according to some critics?

<p>It encourages tolerance of intolerant cultures and religions, potentially leading to homegrown terrorism. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the 1980s Equity Multiculturalism?

<p>Shifting from celebrating difference to fostering equality in society. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the critiques of multiculturalism from the political left regarding social justice and racism?

<p>It shifts the focus from social justice and racism to ethnic identity and cultural diversity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes multiculturalism as an ideology?

<p>Puts forth an ideal image of how Canadians 'should' live. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Quebec's interculturalism differ from Canadian multiculturalism concerning linguistic assimilation?

<p>Interculturalism promotes linguistic assimilation within a francophone framework, while multiculturalism does not. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is associated with the implementation of multiculturalism as policy in the 1970s?

<p>Ethnicity Multiculturalism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What potential risk is associated with multiculturalism's focus on 'diversity IS compatible with national goals'?

<p>All the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential consequence of multiculturalism being a platform for ethnic communities to articulate their concerns?

<p>All the above (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might the emphasis on 'song and dance' activities, as part of multicultural policy, be viewed critically?

<p>As a depoliticized approach that avoids addressing deeper structural issues (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'Undermining Special Claims' critique relate to Indigenous Peoples and multicultural policy?

<p>It argues multicultural policy reduces Indigenous Peoples to 'just another minority', undermining their aspirations for self-government (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might critics mean when they say multiculturalism leads to putting up 'cultural walls' around ethnic groups?

<p>That it can lead to social isolation and hinder the formation of broader social connections (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is most closely associated with the critics' argument that multiculturalism erodes the ability to act collectively as citizens?

<p>A greater focus on individual rights and cultural differences (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary critique of multiculturalism concerning the celebration of 'white tolerance of racialized others'?

<p>It reinforces existing power dynamics in the society. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of multiculturalism, what is implied by the criticism that it defines ethnic communities as homogeneous groups?

<p>It overlooks the diversity and internal differences within ethnic communities. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the perspective of multiculturalism as a 'practice to acquire resources' affect national growth and security according to some interpretations?

<p>It can contribute to national growth and security. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor distinguishes Quebec's interculturalism from Canadian multiculturalism concerning the fusion of cultures?

<p>Interculturalism encourages a fusion of all cultures within a francophone framework. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to critics from the political right, what specific type of ties does multiculturalism encourage that are seen as socially harmful?

<p>Transnational ties with political and social implications. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

From a critical perspective, what term is used to describe multiculturalism's limitation to promoting aspects of ethnic cultures that do not challenge Anglo-Saxon assumptions?

<p>Symbolic Multiculturalism (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might strategic goals such as identity and a sense of belonging influence civic participation within the context of 90s civic multiculturalism?

<p>They foster a deeper sense of connection to the nation and encourage community engagement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way might multicultural policies risk prioritizing some forms of identity promotion over the pursuit of social justice, according to critical viewpoints?

<p>By redirecting resources away from social programs to cultural festivals (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What underlying assumption informs the criticism that multiculturalism can act as a 'breeding ground for intolerance and terrorism'?

<p>That some cultural or religious beliefs may promote intolerance or violence and multiculturalism's indiscriminate tolerance can enable them (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most significant implication of shifting the emphasis of multiculturalism towards economics, where instrumentalist views are prominent?

<p>It prioritizes economic contributions of immigrants over cultural values (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Insanely difficult: Consider the potential conflict between multiculturalism as an ideology promoting an ideal image of how Canadians ‘should’ live and its function as a platform for ethnic communities to articulate their concerns. Under what circumstance could these two dimensions most likely undermine each other?

<p>When the concerns articulated by ethnic communities challenge the dominant cultural norms and values inherent in the idealized image. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Insanely difficult: Consider the potential impacts of both interculturalism (as practiced in Quebec) and multiculturalism from a critical point of view, regarding their effects on minority languages and cultural expression. Which statement represents the most nuanced understanding given the subtle differences in approach?

<p>While multiculturalism aims to protect diverse cultural expressions, its broad approach does not actively safeguard minority languages, potentially resulting in cultural dominance over time; interculturalism's focus ensures French dominance. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Multiculturalism (MC)

A principle and practice engaging diversity as different yet equal, integrating minorities into society's institutional framework.

MC as a social fact

An empirical statement about a country's demographic composition.

MC as an ideology

An ideal image of how Canadians 'should' live, where diversity aligns with national goals, shaping social organization.

MC as practice

The use of MC by political and ethnic sectors to advance goals and ambitions, contributing to national growth and providing a platform for ethnic communities.

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1970s Ethnicity Multiculturalism

Equality of Status, Canadian Identity, Personal Choice, and Protection of Individual Rights through celebrating cultural differences.

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1980s Equity Multiculturalism

Shifting from celebrating difference to fostering equality in society, addressing institutional dynamics with an anti-racist approach.

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1990s Civic Multiculturalism

Oriented toward Canada-building by promoting a commonly shared citizenship, fostering belonging while maintaining differences.

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Current: Integrative Multiculturalism

Focusing on integrating immigrants into Canadian society by adopting liberal democracy values.

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Antecedents of MC

Royal commission on bilingualism in 1963, growing concerns of ethnic minorities, distinguish identity from the U.S.

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Critics from the political right

Criticized for undermining immigrant integration, encouraging ethnic separatism, and creating 'cultural walls'.

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Critics from the political left

Criticized for only promoting non-challenging aspects, emphasizing 'song and dance', and not addressing power dynamics.

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Interculturalism

Policy pursued in Quebec that recognizes cultural diversity but discourages ethnic enclaves and promotes linguistic assimilation.

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Study Notes

  • Canadian multiculturalism embodies freedom and democracy
  • Diverse communities foster innovation and prosperity
  • Strength comes from differences, not in spite of them

Paradox of Multiculturalism

  • How to make society safe "for" diversity while keeping it safe "from" diversity
  • Is it political, social, or economic?
  • Multiculturalism can be defined as a principle and a practice for engaging diversity as different yet equal
  • Includes policies and programs to integrate minorities into the institutional framework of society

Multiculturalism as a social fact

  • Empirical statement about "what is"
  • Demographic composition of a country
  • Until the introduction of the 1971 policy, Canada was dominated by British and French cultural norms despite being demographically diverse

Multiculturalism as an Ideology

  • Presents an ideal image of how Canadians "should" live
  • Diversity is compatible with national goals
  • Suggests how things ought to be in social organization based on culture and ethnicity

Multiculturalism as practice to acquire resources

  • Used by political and ethnic sectors to advance goals and ambitions
  • Has political and economic potential
  • Contributes to national growth and security
  • Provides a platform for ethnic communities to articulate concerns and attain practical goals

Multiculturalism as Policy: 1970s Ethnicity Multiculturalism

  • Pierre Trudeau and Multiculturalism - 1971
  • Equality of Status
  • Canadian identity
  • Personal Choice
  • Protection of Individual Rights
  • Focus is on celebrating differences with culture as primary reference point
  • Attempted to fix problem of prejudice

1980s Equity Multiculturalism

  • Shift from celebrating difference to fostering equality in society
  • Social structure as the primary reference point
  • Developed a more anti-racist approach to institutional dynamics

Economics

  • Shifted the emphasis to a more instrumentalist view of Multiculturalism

1990s Civic Multiculturalism

  • Oriented toward Canada-building by promoting a shared citizenship
  • Fostered a sense of belonging and shared awareness of Canadian identity while maintaining differences
  • Strategic goals included civic participation, social justice (equal treatment), and identity

Current: Integrative Multiculturalism

  • Focuses on integrating immigrants into Canadian society
  • Integrates immigrants by adopting the values of liberal democracy

Antecedents of Multiculturalism

  • Connected to the establishment of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism in 1963
  • Created due to the growing concerns of ethnic minorities in Canada
  • Developed to make Canada unique from the U.S., with its own national identity

Critics from the Political Right

  • Scrutinized for undermining immigrant integration and a strong Canadian identity
  • Encourages ethnic separatism
  • Socially harmful and politically dangerous transnational ties
  • Puts up 'cultural walls' around ethnic groups
  • Erodes the ability to act collectively as citizens

Critics from the political left

  • Policy only promotes ethnic cultures that don't challenge Anglo-Saxon assumptions
  • Only emphasizes depoliticized “song and dance” activities
  • Multiculturalism reconstitutes whiteness as tolerant and committed to pluralism
  • Multicultural policies celebrate white tolerance of racialized others
  • Fails to account for how ethnicity is politically and socially constructed
  • Defines ethnic communities as homogenous groups
  • Shifts focus from social justice and racism to ethnic identity and cultural diversity
  • The "Discourse of Diversity”
  • "Symbolic Multiculturalism"

Other Criticisms

  • Hardening Stereotypes: By reducing people to the lowest common denominator, it simplifies and therefore devalues culture.

Undermining Special Claims

  • Multicultural policy has reduced Indigenous Peoples to “just another minority" and undermines their aspirations for self-government

Breeding Ground for Intolerance and Terrorism

  • Encourages and tolerates the promotion of cultures and religions that are decidedly intolerant, potentially leading to homegrown terrorism

Quebec and Interculturalism

  • The Quebec government has pursued a policy of interculturalism instead of multiculturalism
  • Interculturalism recognizes cultural diversity, but it discourages ethnic enclaves and promotes linguistic assimilation
  • Interculturalism promotes a fusion of all commonalities of cultures within a francophone framework

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