Social Freedom in a Multicultural State: Towards a Theory of Intercultural Justice (Palgrave Politics of Identity and Citizenship Series)

The politics of multiculturalism faces challenges in Western democratic states. Arguing that this setback is based on the notion of culture as separate and distinct, this book explores how to face current challenges to multiculturalism without reifying culture, group and identity. Western democratic states are experiencing a backlash against the politics of multiculturalism. While a multicultural critique of liberal democracy is necessary it has all too often been rooted in the notion of cultures as separate and distinct, fuelling the backlash that regards this as a politics of division. The challenge facing liberals and multiculturalists alike is to recognise the importance of claims of culture without collapsing multicultural society into a series of discrete cultural ghettos. This book addresses the challenge by reframing the debate, moving away from the emphasis on cultural membership to focus instead on the contexts in which the particularities of minorities impact on claims for justice and recognition. We must respond to circumstances of injustice which impede minorities' capability to pursue meaningful activities in multiple dimensions -- economic, social and political as well as cultural -- as citizens of equal status. This book argues that it is possible to defend intercultural justice and freedom without entrenching culture, group and identity, and that it is important to do so Western democratic states are experiencing a backlash against the politics of multiculturalism. While a multicultural critique of liberal democracy is necessary it has all too often been rooted in the notion of cultures as separate and distinct, fuelling the backlash that regards this as a politics of division. The challenge facing liberals and multiculturalists alike is to recognise the importance of claims of culture without collapsing multicultural society into a series of discrete cultural ghettos. This book addresses the challenge by reframing the debate, moving away from the emphasis on cultural membership to focus instead on the contexts in which the particularities of minorities impact on claims for justice and recognition. We must respond to circumstances of injustice which impede minorities' capability to pursue meaningful activities in multiple dimensions - economic, social and political as well as cultural - as citizens of equal status. This book argues that it is possible to defend intercultural justice and freedom without entrenching culture, group and identity, and that it is important to do so.-- Provided by publisher Cover......Page 1 Part III......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 9 Introduction......Page 12 1 A Critique of Liberal Multiculturalism......Page 26 2 A Model of Culture within the Paradigm of Anti-Essentialism......Page 53 3 The Normative Context of Well-Being......Page 72 4 Limitations to Social Participation......Page 97 5 Social Freedom and Justice......Page 123 6 Social Recognition and Non-Domination......Page 147 7 Morality and Responsibility......Page 182 8 Liberalism and Communitarianism......Page 216 9 Modern Civic Republicanism......Page 233 Conclusion......Page 249 Notes......Page 259 References......Page 275 Index......Page 286
The politics of multiculturalism faces challenges in Western democratic states. Arguing that this setback is based on the notion of culture as separate and distinct, this book explores how to face current challenges to multiculturalism without reifying culture, group and identity.