Stott Despoja
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2005
- Messages
- 97
- Gender
- Undisclosed
- HSC
- N/A
The idea of multiculturalism has always involved a degree of integration, so it's difficult to argue that it's a case of one versus the other. With that in mind, I think that that a better representation would be to say that it's a case of political integration versus cultural integration - both operate within a multicultural framework of some sort and both require a degree of integration on the part of the minorities (and tolerance, if not acceptance, from the majority), but whereas political integration grants greater cultural freedoms to minority groups, cultural integration requires a more concerted effort on the part of minority groups to integrate with the 'mainstream culture.' The discussion regarding the expected degree of integration adds yet another dimension to the debate._dhj_ said:This isn't about blacks, whites or racism but about the ideology of multiculturalism versus integration. Although Howard is a populist leader, his agenda here is not to gain popularity but to implement his ideological vision - that is, to eradicate multiculturalism in Australia. The current wave of antagonism against Australian Muslims pretty much provides Howard with sufficient popular backing to do so.
In the case of the current federal Government, I think that it's hard to identify its preferred form of integration - whereas the rhetoric suggests that it's a case of cultural integration, the introductory documents seem to suggest that in practical terms it's nothing more than a case of altering current practices so that what is implicit is made explicit. Though it's easy to say that the Howard Government is on a bit of a cultural crusade, I'd like to see whether the proposed changes are real or whether it's just a case of an on the pulse government hijacking a practical reality and repackaging it in cultural rather than political terms. Will there be real change (for better or worse) or will it be nothing more than a populist political stunt?