Does Canadas Official Policy of Multiculturalism Strengthen or Weaken the Countrys National Identity - Research Paper Example

Does Canada’s Official Policy of Multiculturalism Strengthen or Weaken the Country’s National Identity? IntroductionDefinition of Multiculturalism The term multiculturalism has many definitions that all revolve around the same meaning. According to Banting (p 798), Multiculturalism is defined as an ideology known to promote institutionalization in communities that have many cultures. He further points out that multiculturalism is usually applied to a specific place in terms of its demographic make-up. This application is usually done at the organizational level, for example, nations, states, cities, towns, neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and hospitals among others. Another author, Bumsted (p 12), defines multiculturalism as a school of thought embodied in political philosophy that addresses the best way to respond to religious and cultural diversity. Examples of Multiculturalism Good examples of multicultural societies include Canada, Argentina, Australia, Netherlands, and Continental Europe among others (Garcea, p. 51). In these countries, multiculturalism is treated seriously, with policies being put in place to ensure that there is the development of lasting and useful relationships within cultural, religious and ethnic groups (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 49). New comers and other groups that may be seen to be marginalized such as immigrants are treated with respect and reached out to so as to ensure that they feel part of these countries or regions (Jedwab, p 33). These countries recognize the existence of multiple cultures, ethnicities, and religious groups, which are all treated equally (Banting and Soroka, p 156). Definition of National Identity National identity is defined as the identity of a person that gives him/her a sense of belonging to a particular nation or state (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 101). National identity is considered to be a feeling that an individual shares with other people in a particular country, regardless of the individual’s citizenship. National identity is brought about as a result of feeling accepted by members of one’s nation or country (Smith, p 12). National identity has also been defined as the sense of belonging to a particular nation (Day, p 45). National identity is brought about by common elements being present in the daily lives of people who belong to one nation. These common elements or common points include national consciousness, national language, national symbols, national colors, blood ties, and a nation’s history among others (Jedwab, p 40). Importance of National Identity National identity is important because it gives an individual a sense of belonging to a particular country or nation. National identity is known to strengthen the cohesion of citizens of a particular nation (Tierney, p 90). National identity brings about unity and cooperation among individuals of the same nation because they unite with fellow countrymen to achieve common national goals such as fighting common threats and protecting members of a nation (Smith, p 14). National identity is known to promote patriotism and a love for one’s nation (Day, p 12). Multiculturalism and National Identity of Canada a. Historical Perspective In Canada, multiculturalism exclusively refers to the concerns and attention given to cultural diversity. These concerns address issues related to linguistic diversity, religious diversity, racism, cultural identity, and immigrant integration (Day, p 48). The history of multiculturalism and national identity in Canada dates back to 1867 when Canada was officially recognized as a country. Since then, issues of cultural diversity have been part of policies in the country (Jedwab, p 23). The initial concerns that brought about the need for multiculturalism and national identity in Canada were inspired by the need to foster good relationship between the original people of that country and the state, assimilate immigrants, and bring together the ‘two founding nations’ of Canada, namely, the French and British colonizers (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 78). Before the 1940s, Canada identified itself in terms of both French and English political, linguistic, and cultural identities. This meant that immigrants who spoke other languages apart from French and English were treated as suspects. These other people included Ukrainian Canadians, Japanese Canadians, Jewish Canadians, and Canadians of German ethnicity (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 133). Historically, Canada has been facing a lot of problems as a result of the difference in cultures, political identities, languages, races, religions and ethnicities of its people (Bumsted, p 81). For example, during the 2nd World War, the Japanese Canadians found themselves being interned. Their property was also illegally confiscated (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 87). During the 1st World War, the Ukrainian Canadians and the Canadians of German ethnicity were treated as suspects because they were citizens of nations that were considered Canadian enemies (Smith, p 23). They were therefore held in camps illegally so as to prevent them from threatening the security in Canada. In Quebec, Jewish Canadians were treated as suspects. This is because they were associated with many unacceptable values such as liberalism, modernism and many others (Tierney, p 100). At that time in history, the country also had Asian and African racial minorities. They were discriminated against because of the misinformed belief that they lacked morality (Banting and Soroka, p 157). The situation in Canada began to change in the 1960s, after the formation of the Canadian Bill of Rights. Prior to this achievement, Canadian laws never emphasized on the importance protecting and respecting the civil rights of its citizens. The courts did not concern themselves with matters pertaining to protection of civil rights (Tierney, p 95). After the Canadian Bill of Rights was incepted in 1960, the situation in the country began to take a different turn. Subsequent rights and freedoms were created in the following years to promote equality and emphasize on the inclusiveness of all the people living in Canada (Banting and Soroka, p 159). These included the 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, and the 1988 Canadian Multiculturalism Act. A look back into history reveals that Canada has not always been friendly and welcoming to immigrants, and other people considered non-citizens. This has mostly been because of the problems related to linguistic diversity, religious diversity, racism, cultural identity, and immigrant integration (Bumsted, p 31). The country has always been multicultural. However, the situation is very different today. Canada is praised for being one of the most welcoming and friendliest nations to immigrants. The country welcomes and accommodates very many immigrants on an annual basis (Jedwab, p 30). It is seen to have succeeded in promoting, maintaining and upholding multiculturalism. It is one of the most non-discriminatory nations to immigrants. It has seen many policies and constitutional reforms being implemented to ensure that national minorities receive protection and recognition from the constitution (Tierney, p 84). The rights of all its citizens and people living in the country are respected, regardless of their cultural, ethnic, religious, racial, political, or linguistic affiliation (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 111). b. Political Perspective Multiculturalism and national identity in Canada can also be discussed from a political point of view. In regard to Canadian multiculturalism, a political perspective is one that is related to policies on multiculturalism (Banting and Soroka, p 160). In Canada, multiculturalism is a term that is used to refer to the existence of diverse ethnic and racial minorities, who consider themselves to be different, and wish to be recognized as so (Tierney, p 34). As a policy, multiculturalism revolves around the management and acceptance of diversity. This is achieved through formal initiatives in the municipal, provincial and federal domains (Jedwab, p 25). In Canada, multiculturalism is political in nature. However, Banting and Soroka, (p 160) note that, there are a lot of petty political aspects of multiculturalism in Canada. These include issues such as ethnic coalitions and rivalries, nomination fights, using multicultural appointments and grants by political parties in power to win ethnic support, promises to reward people for voting for particular parties, and demands to do away with policies (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 14). The developers of multiculturalism in Canada such as Pierre Elliot Trudeau have always been trying to deal with the political problems that affect the national organization of Canada. At federal level, multiculturalism has passed through three phases of development. The first phase is the incipient stage that took place before 1971 (Jedwab, p 28). This phase saw gradual improvements being made to accept the ethnic diversity as being important to the Canadian society. Previously, authorities did not value cultural heterogeneity. Ethnic and racial differences were not appreciated. In fact, they were considered detrimental to the political development of the country (Tierney, p 56). However, in the 1960s, notable developments led to the end of assimilation as a policy of the government. Subsequently, multiculturalism began to appear and it was seen as an alternative to nationalism (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 45). The second phase was the formative period that was experienced between 1971 and 1981. This period was guided by the principles created by the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism which addressed how non-English, non-French, and non-Aboriginal ethnic groups contributed to Canada’s cultural enrichment (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 98). The commission supported the integration of all ethnic groups into the Canadian society, not their assimilation. It came up with numerous policy objectives that depended on funding received from the government (Banting and Soroka, p 170). The third phase was the institutionalization period that came after 1982 and is still being implemented to date. This phase is concerned with the institutionalization of policy to promote multiculturalism (Bumsted, p 33). In this phase, Canadian courts have been empowered to take multiculturalism into account and respect civil rights of the people (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 83). Multiculturalism was placed within the wider framework of the society in Canada. The composition of the Canadian population began to change drastically as the society accepted and respected multiculturalism (Banting and Soroka, p 172). Discrimination of minority ethnic and cultural groups was abolished as these groups became more accepted by society (Jedwab, p 21). c. Sociological Perspective Multiculturalism and national identity in Canada may also be understood by discussing it from a sociological perspective. This basically involves analyzing the sociological aspects that come into play when discussing multiculturalism and national identity (Banting and Soroka, p 162). One such sociological aspect is the functional approach which points out that society comprises of necessary but different roles which must be filled so as to enable that society to be fully functional (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 80). This approach therefore acknowledges the crucial role played by multiculturalism in creating a fully functional and flourishing society in Canada. Sociologically, multiculturalism is viewed as a device that can be used in the management of conflicts in society (Jedwab, p 26). This can be achieved by making both the minority and majority groups comfortable with each other. This will give them a sense of belonging and national identity (Tierney, p 105). The functionalist approach of the sociological perspective advocated for control, cooperation, and consensus in any successful society. This could only be achieved if all the members of the Canadian society internalized core values and ideals (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 137). This has widely been achieved through the mass media in Canada that has been used to promote and instill these values and ideals to all the citizens of the Country (Day, p 50). Ethnic and cultural differences are also being depoliticized to turn the society into a more free and equal one. The society in Canada is continuously encouraged to live in harmony despite the differences in race, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, tradition, and political affiliation (Banting and Soroka, p 163). Other analysts view multiculturalism and national identity in Canada as a case of “ruling elites controlling unruly ethnics”. This is because elites tend to remain in power and the ethnic minorities are always ruled by these elites (Tierney, p 66). d. Psychological Perspective According to Bumsted, (p 31), there has been little research on the psychological perspective of multiculturalism and national identity in Canada compared to the other perspectives. In order to fully understand the psychological perspective of multiculturalism and national identity in Canada, it is important to study the behaviors of the members of minority religious, ethnic, and racial groups (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 90). In regard to the psychological perspective, the main focus should be on the perceptions of group power and identity, while predicting the positive relations within these different groups (Banting and Soroka, p 169). Research on the psychological perspective of multiculturalism and national identity in Canada has always revolved around perceptions of group power, strength of Canadian identification, and behaviors and attitudes towards other groups (Tierney, p 110). The psychological perspective uses common models and processes to analyze multiculturalism (Jedwab, p 104). In Canada, national identity is viewed under a cultural/civil conception. This means that individuals who consider themselves as belonging to Canada must voluntarily commit to the institutions and laws of the country. This gives an individual a subjective sense of belonging (Banting and Soroka, p 166). By doing this, the conception of who is considered Canadian becomes very broad. This Canadian conception is very different from the native view which considers national identity to be based on kinship, a common ethnic heritage, or birth in one’s home country (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 96). Sociologically, it can be concluded that, the long history of colonization and resettlement in Canada has largely contributed to the multicultural society that is in the country today (Kelley and Trebilcock, p. 76). Canadian society is considered to have originally been made up of British, French, Aboriginal, and many other ethnic and racial groups. The Aboriginals included the Inuit, Metis, non-status Indians, and status Indians (Jedwab, p 99). The British and French mainly came as a result of colonizing the country. The end result was that there was a lot of diversity in terms of languages, culture, race, ethnicity, religion, and political affiliation (Banting and Soroka, p 168). Conclusion In summary, multiculturalism in Canada is considered to be solution to many of its problems. Multiculturalism in Canada can be used to explain the demographic reality of a population in Canada that is made up of diverse people representing different ethnicities, races, religions, cultures, and traditions. Among the immigrant countries, Canada is considered the first to be thoroughly pluralistic. This is evident through the population that is ethnically diverse. In Canada, people of various races and cultures have come into the country as immigrants. These different cultures and races have influenced the formation of national identities in the country. In this essay, multiculturalism and national identity have been analyzed using historical, political, sociological, and psychological perspectives. It is not possible for society to exist without the mixing of cultures, races, and ethnicities. It is the diverse population in Canada that contributes to what the country is today. It can be concluded that the presence of multiple cultures and immigrants in Canada strengthen the identity of the country. Works Cited Banting, Keith and Stuart Soroka. “Minority Nationalism and Immigrant Integration in Canada.” Nations and Nationalism 18.1 (2012): 156-176. Print Banting, Keith. “Is There a Progressive’s Dilemma in Canada? Immigration, Multiculturalism and the Welfare State Presidential Address to the Canadian Political Science Association, Montreal, June 2, 2010.” Canadian Journal of Political Science 43.4 (2010): 797 – 820. Beaman, Lori and Peter Beyer (Eds.). Religion and Diversity in Canada. Netherlands: Brill, 2008. Print. Bumsted, J. M. Canada's Diverse Peoples: A Reference Sourcebook. USA: ABC-CLIO, 2003. Print. Garcea, Joseph (2008). “Postulations on the Fragmentary Effects of Multiculturalism in Canada.” Canadian Ethnic Studies 40.1 (2008). Print. Jedwab, Jack. “The Diverse Family of Canadians: Documenting the Immigrant Experience in Canada.” Montreal: National Film Board of Canada, 2007. Print. Kelley, Ninette and Trebilcock, Michael J. The Making of the Mosaic: A History of Canadian Immigration Policy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2010. Print. Richard J. F. Day. Multiculturalism and the History of Canadian Diversity. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2000. Print. Smith, Anthony D. National identity (Ethnonationalism in Comparative Perspective). Nevada: University of Nevada Press, 1993. Print. Tierney, Stephen. Multiculturalism and the Canadian Constitution. Toronto: UBC Press, 2007. Print. Read More