On what grounds do multiculturalists defend diversity?

Diversity is the idea that there is not one overarching and dominant culture, but a multiplicity of cultures. Multiculturalists consider this to be a healthy state of affairs and will benefit a wide variety of groups.

Multiculturalists regard diversity as both desirable and as aiding the process of community solidarity and nation unity. They defend diversity because it does not create conflict or instability, but rather reduces the chance of it. The existence of a range of cultures allows society to develop into a tolerant and understanding society that respects the idea of difference. Multiculturalists are obviously very much in favour of this as they want a tolerant society, which ideally has no discrimination based on race, or culture. Diversity is obvious clearly a very big part of multiculturalism as it makes society more accepting as they learn about other cultures. Fear or little understanding develops tension in society, but multiculturalists believe diversity can reverse these problems.

Multiculturalists also celebrate diversity as they like the fact that people can have multiple loyalties and identities. This generates social and political cohesion as people are then able to participate in society, as they feel they have a secure identity. Without accepting different identities, people start to feel powerless and turn to extreme measures. This could be, for example, those who took part in the 7/7 bombing’s as they didn’t feel accepted by society, as are those who participate in religious fundamentalism. The thinker Edward Said was a strong believer in a very vibrant society, he criticised Eurocentrism’s attempt to remake the world in its own image. Multiculturalist’s want people to feel a sense of cultural belonging, rather than isolation, and diversity can bring this in a society as they