IDEAL FUTURE FOR ALL WORLD COUNTRIES:
MULTICULTURALISM
Idea of multiculturalism and living together
which are two topics that is a depression in most of the countries, offers us a
peaceful future. Multiculturalism which consists on individuals and groups who
come from different language, religion, race, history and geography origins,
emerge in societies who share same political unit and borders of a country.
(Kongar, 2012) Briefly multiculturalism is a way of life for cultural diverse
communities. On this paper, multiculturalism to create a peaceful future,
multicultural community examples and how to reach a successful multicultural
community will be discussed.
The numbers of multicultural communities
increase with the increasing number of developed countries and as a result of
the migration of people to these countries to find out a better environment for
their needs. As the French sociologist Emile Durkheim pointed out, societies
become larger and more complex by time. (Mehdi, 2012, p.9) Nowadays many countries have a multicultural
community. Even though while most of them are discussing the applicability of
the concept of multiculturalism. Obviously, this feature affects their current
system, and thereby their life style. On this point, Turkey, Germany and Canada
will be the countries that will help us to understand our objectives.
Republic of Turkey has a diverse culture.
Country hosts many different communities from different races. Turks, Kurds,
Laz, Circassian, Balkanites are only some of them. All these different culture
groups come together under Turkish Republic Citizenship. (Wikipedia) When we
compare to other multicultural nations, we can conclude that Turkish Republic
still has a way to go to create a peaceful community but somehow they succeed
to constitute a livable environment. Their common history and ancestor people’s
effort to establish the country are main reasons that connect these all
different cultures. Being an emigration country is also important because it
prevents to deal with new issues that can occur in multicultural societies.
Currently Turkish society has issues to keep peace in their diverse country.
Main reasons under these issues are limited personal freedom, a long and
unsuccessful industrialization process. As a result of these some ethnic groups
did not want to accept Turkish national any longer. (Ozkan)
Germany, the largest
economy in Europe and the biggest contributor to the EU budget, also has a
multicultural community. (CIA) German society includes many people from other
European countries besides Turks, Asians and other minority groups from other
foreign countries. (Nathans, 2004) Having a powerful economy in EU and because
of that being an immigration country is one the main reasons of this diversity.
Also during 1961-1971 periods, labor need for the industry and admission of
guest workers affected the structure of German demographics. (Kilicli, 2003) Despite
having strong economy, Germany still has issues with adjustment of minorities
to German culture and daily life. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also accepts
this failure and she said: “The concept that we are now living side by side and
are happy about it does not work.” (Wikipedia) Currently, Turks are the largest minority
group in the country. Turk ve alman governmetlarinin ihmarkarligi ve ortak
calisarak adjustment surecini kolaylastirmaktan kacinmasi bu issues larin
dogmasina sebep oldu. German society had an unsuccessful experience of most
Turkish people’s integrating. Because of these issues, stereotypes arose in
German society. Eventually because of that both German society and Turkish
community face with negative effects during their daily life.
One multicultural
example of relatively successful integration is Canada. Country has an ethnic
harmony and its current system provides a peaceful environment for Canadian
society to live in. There are more than 10 ethnic origins still represent their
culture in Canada. The system has some issues about discrimination but when we
look to the 37 years of past with multicultural policy, in general Canadian
government was successful compare to other European countries and Australia
which tried to adopt multiculturalism policy. (Peritz and Friesen, 2010) When
we look at the Canadian system we can easily observe the high level of personal
freedom. This is the core of their policy. This diversity also helps Canadian
government in global areas such as economy, education and diplomacy. (Citizenship
and Immigration Canada, 2012)
When we look through all three countries, we
can conclude that to have a peaceful multicultural community requires serial of
serious planning. These plans will help communities in society during their
adjustment period and accelerate the process of transition. It will help them
to interact with each other. (Pedersen, 2004)To build successful connections
between different cultures, a powerful and independent economy strongly needed.
We can observe that most of the issues that arise in multicultural societies
are a result of economic inequality between community members. It is also
directly associated with the greater education level which can create the
peaceful environment and conditions in society like mutual respect, open-mindedness,
transparency tolerance and the sense of empathy. (Guibernau and Rex, 1997) If
we summarize it, the industrialization is a positive contributor on creating
multicultural community. Systems which couldn’t complete their
industrialization and still interiorize agricultural traditions are most likely
to fail on their multicultural policy. Multiculturalism requires unlimited
innovation and dynamic and Brazil is another new example for this ideal. Since
2001, they started to change their policy to promote racial equality. First
they made a critical analysis of the society structure. Then they made
educational, economic, social, judicial and health related changes on their
policy. We can learn that the main institutions of society have a major effect
on creating healthy multicultural community. (Paixão, 2008) A successful multicultural
effectiveness can make difference on world system and it still is a hope for
people’s happiness. (Gamst, Liang, Der-Karabetian, 2011)
References
Kongar, E. (2012), Globalization,
micro-nationalism, multiculturalism, constitutional citizenship, Retrieved
December 10, 2012, from http://www.kongar.org/makaleler/mak_kum.php
Mehdi, A. (Comp.), Pearson
Custom Sociology, edited by Tiemann K. A., JR. MCNEAL, R. B., Lucal, Ender M.
G., 1st edition, p. 9, Pearson Learning Solutions, Boston, 2012
Ozkan, Multiculturalism
in Turkey, Retrieved December 15th 2012, from http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/acd/re/k-rsc/lcs/kiyou/18-3/RitsIILCS_18.3pp.59-77ozkan.pdf
CIA,
The World Factbook, Retrieved December 16th, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html
Nathans,
E., The Politics of Citizenship in Germany, 1st edition, published
by Berg, NY, 2004
Kilicli
A. (2003), Turkish Migrants in Germany, Prospects of Integration, Retrieved
December 16, 2012, from http://www.iuee.eu/pdf-dossier/12/rXNHUsicpVwS6Cd7AQHA.PDF
Multiculturalism,
Wikipedia, Retrieved December 16, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiculturalism#Germany
Peritz
I., Friesen J, published Oct 01 2010, When multiculturalism doesn’t work,
Retrieved December 16, 2012, from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/part-1-when-multiculturalism-doesnt-work/article1318798/
Citizenship
and Immigration Canada (2012), Canadian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive
Citizenship, December 16, 2012, from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/citizenship.asp
Guibernau
M., Rex J., The Ethnicity Reader, p.207-210, Polity Press, MA, 1997
Paixão,
M., (2008), Brazilian Experience in the Fight Against Racism and in Promoting
Racial Equality: policies, trends and limits, Retrieved December 16, 2012, from
www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/racism/groups/african/docs/bp6.doc
Pedersen
P., 2004, 110 experiences for multicultural learning, 1st edition,
p. 15-19 American Physiological Association, Washington DC, 2004.
Gamst
G. C., Liang C. T. H., Der-Karabetian A., Handbook of Multicultural Measures,
p. 33-37, Sage Publications, California, 2011
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