Objective of Australian Multiculturalism - Essay Example

IS AUSTRALIA A SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF MULTICULTURALISM IN ACTION? Name: Institution: Date: Table of contents INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................3 Identification of the issue................................................................................................................3 Main thesis statement......................................................................................................................4 BODY ............................................................................................................................................4 Counter views-summary ................................................................................................................4 Counter argument...........................................................................................................................6 Counter views-limitation................................................................................................................6 Thesis argument.............................................................................................................................7 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................8 Summary and recommendations....................................................................................................9 REFERENCES............................................................................................................................10 IS AUSTRALIA A SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF MULTICULTURALISM IN ACTION? INTRODUCTION Identification of the issue Multiculturalism is defined as the cultural diversity that emerges from existing groups of people who represent a certain collective identities within a given society in the sense of ethnic, language and racial differences. In its response, the government translated multiculturalism into institutional design or public policy characterized by recognition of different needs of the identified groups, ensuring not only equal access but also opportunity among them. Multiculturalism entails the ethic of respect for, acceptance of, community inclusion and harmony and cultural diversity. Australia is a diverse society, and this can be traced since World War 11 whereby about 7 million immigrants from more than 150 nations settled in Australia. Citing the 2011 Census report, 26% of the Australians were born overseas and 20% have either both or one of their parents born in other nations (Department of Immigration and Citizenship 2011). The mentioned percentages form the highest number of immigrants in the developed nations. Collectively, there are about 260 languages in Australia, and they practice different religions. The Australian society has array of cultures which are represented in music, literature, food, sport and dress. Multiculturalism is one of the great victories in the Australian history. This is because so many people with diverse history and cultures have been peacefully absorbed into the Australian society. Main Thesis Statement Historically, the Australian policies on immigration did not accept cultural diversity or inclusiveness. The White Australian Policy excluded other races apart from Whites from migrating into Australia. However, following the World War II, the White Australian Policy was applied less strictly. For example between 1966 and 1971, the number of non-whites settlers quadrupled. In 1973, the Whitlam government dismantled the policy. During this period, multiculturalism emerged as channel of responding to the new culturally diverse migration, and the post-war migration. Between the 1940s and 1950s, the dominant approach to new immigrants was assimilation (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006). The assumption was that the new immigrants would blend quickly into the mainstream society. Integration policies were developed with a lot of awareness on migration. This ensured that the migrants maintained links of their past nationalities and cultures, because they saw them as less threatening with the integration objectives. It is evident that multiculturism supplanted the mentioned terms in the 1970s, emphasized the virtue of respect and tolerance for other cultures, and the importance of recognizing the diversity and differences. This report will focus on the issue that Australia is a successful example of multiculturalism in action. BODY Counter views-Summary It can be argued that Australian multiculturalism has operated an ideological discourse, which is designed to offer Australians with flattering, favorable and triumphant representation of the nations in two major respects. In historical terms, it urges the Australians that through the adaption of multiculturalism, the society has forgotten the important parts of its racist and shameful past. Consequently, in symbolic terms, it is a representation of Australians who live with a public fiction that they enjoy a peaceful, harmonious and tolerant country where everyone is included regardless of race or ethnicity. Additionally, public figures such as John Howard, with pride have declared that Australia is a successful multicultural society across the world (Howard 1996). As much as the mentioned image is held and used as a mirror for the Australians, it will continue to function as a mere ideological project that interpellates the entire Australian population to be proud of the presumed success and celebrate the imaginary unity in diverse in cultures. Furthermore, even though there has been increased support for multiculturalism amongst the intellectual and the governing elites, popular support for it has remained minimal. The present crisis surrounding multiculturalism in Australia is that a section, particularly of the ordinary people also known as Anglo-Celtic Australians does not view themselves as part of it. Additionally, the term Anglo-Celtic refutes the existence of diversity and prevents the possibility of the pre-war European migrants from claiming their ethnic heritages in Australia. Therefore, it is evident that Anglo-Celtic perpetuates the difference between multicultural and assimilationist Australia (Grassby 2000). The critics of the multiculturalism in Australia further argue that it is impossible for hegemony to be complete in any society. This is because it is always in a renegotiation process. They do not suggest that the multiculturalism has failed in Australia, but they support it for its widespread even though it is not entirely universal across different levels of the society. Howard ascendancy clearly proves that for more than two decades since the adaption of the official government policy, there have not been pervasive and deep nation-wide commitments towards multiculturalism. Therefore, it is evident that multiculturalism discourse in Australia does not confront, recognize or challenge the problematic issue of race or ethnicity rather represses it (Howard 1996). It is also argued that following the World War II, the Australian nation started a program with the objective of growing its population. Recovering from the war and facing the strong Asians located on the north of Australia, Author Caldwell, the Minister for Immigration deemed it right for Australia to increase in population or perish. The desire to populate caused the liberation of the White Australian Immigration Policy. However, the liberation did not change the racially based structure that differentiated non-Europeans from Europeans, white from the non-whites. Hence, it can be argued that the objective of the policy was to ensure cultural homogenization, and all the new immigrants were compelled to adapt Australian norms, and assimilate into the Australian's dominant culture (Markus 2013). Counter Argument Australia is regarded a success story in terms of multicultural. This is because it is characterized by minimal ethnic violence or conflict and there are no ethnic ghettos or local terrorism. Citing Berry (2011), it is challenging to overestimate the Australia's multicultural policy and its success. There is also high level of social inclusion in Australia, and this is measured using surveys on belonging, perceptions of worth, equity, participation and acceptance. Similarly, Australia has faced scrutiny on the immigrant integration that is evident in countries that received immigrants from the west for the last two decades. Since 1990s, there have been drawbacks on multicultural policy and a sustained and strong focus on the control of borders, inculcating the immigrants into the values of Australian, hence promoting diversity. For example, presently Australia has a federal government in place, Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Counterviews- limitation Australia remains in a unique position to be an excellent example of multiculturalism to other nations across the world. Understanding how to create open national and inclusive identities that are not grounded on long genetic and cultural histories is an important task. High levels of mobility make nation states to host people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and Australia is not an exception (Koleth 2010). In its efforts to ensure multiculturalism, the Australian government adopted three major initiatives with objective of ensuring integration and social cohesion. These are the Harmony, and Security, the ‘Living in Harmony-Diverse Australia and National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion (Ergas 2015). The Living in Harmony initiative was started in 1988 with the objective of fostering the Australian cohesion, values and citizenship, and encourages the refugees and immigrants to participate in the equitable society. However, in 2009, the program was renamed the Diverse Australia with increased focus on racism and intolerance. Nonetheless, the programs two major components remained unchanged, and these were the government participation and grants to different organization and the harmony Day (Markus 2013). Harmony Day is celebrated yearly on 21st March. It entails governance via persuasion approach characterized by celebration, participation and promotion of cultural diversity among schools and communities. The partnership and grants components entail the government support and funding of the projects of the community sector. The mentioned should be designed to address the challenges posed by the intolerance and cultural differences to enhance inclusion and social cohesion (Sibley & Barlow, 2009). Thesis Argument A high percentage of Australians regard the immigration outcomes and the Australian multicultural policy as not only a success but also take pride in it. A survey contacted by the Scalan Foundation National Survey Report conducted in 2015 showed that public concern on Australian migration has remained at its lowest level since 2007, with more than 475% of the respondents agreeing it is the right of the immigrants to be accepted in Australia. The mentioned is a clear indication that Australia is one of the nations on the western world with positive sentiments on migration. Consequently, a high percentage of the Australians support the multiculturalism and believes that Australia is the world's most cohesive and best multicultural society. The Scanlon surveys have indicated strong support for the multiculturalism policy since 2013 (Scanlon Foundation 2016). In the earlier years, three other surveys indicated similar support. According to Scanlon survey conducted in 2015, about 86% of the supporters agreed that multiculturalism is good for Australia (Markus 2013). 71% of the respondents agreed that multiculturalism contributes to Australian's economic development while another 60% believe that it strengthens the Australian culture (Scanlon Foundation 2016). There are also different social indicators that show the multicultural policy is success in Australia. Majority link Australia's prosperity to multiculturalism policy and diversity. It is believed that multiculturalism have assisted the migrants to integrate into the Australian economy. Even though unemployment differs between different races and ethnic communities and between humanitarian and skilled migrants, overall the migrants have higher labor participation and earn better that the Australians born workers. For example, citing the 2015 Australian Bureau of Statistics Report, averagely, the income for a visa holder employee is about $5,000 higher compared to that of the national taxpayers. Additionally, the unemployment rate for the second generation of migrants is lower than that of generation born of Australian parents (Godowsky 2013). Linguistically and culturally diverse communities not only foster entrepreneurial spirit but also contribute towards nation's economic growth. CONCLUSION Summary and recommendations The objective of the Australian multiculturalism is to deliver social inclusion and equal opportunity for everyone. Nonetheless, it is not as what everyone would expect. This is because it is a policy charged with protection of the minority cultures. It should be implemented in a way that the public perceives it as a social compact emphasizing on mutual obligations and rights. At its core, all the migrants are required to accept the Australian laws and values. It also allows all the migrants to retain their birth nations traditions and customs but only if they do not conflict with the Australian core values. To summarize Australian multiculturalism remains a success story. This is because it is a reflection of the demographic reality and it is supported by national institutions and policy. It is also centered on social compact that is build upon shared responsibilities and rights and mutual respect. As high percentage of migrants to Australia are likely to continue in the future, multiculturalism with its emphasis on the core values of equality, democracy, national language and social justice, the government must continue to endorse integration and social cohesion for everyone. Therefore, more would need to be undertaken in terms of citizenship education to tackle the relativist tendencies associated with Australian multiculturalism. REFERENCES Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006. Personal safety survey, Australia 2005. ABS cat. no. 4906.0. Canberra: ABS. Berry, J.W., 2011. ‘Integration and Multiculturalism: Ways towards Social Solidarity‘,Papers on Social Representation, 20: 2.1-2.21. pdf_doc/people-of-australia-multicultural-policybooklet.pdf. Department of Immigration and Citizenship (2011). The People of Australia: Australia’s Multicultural Policy, available at:http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/multicultural/ Ergas, H. (2015). Ingrained Culture of Complaint, in The Australian.23 November 2015, p. 42. Grassby, A. (2000). A Multi-Cultural Society for the Future. Multicultural Australia, 11 August 2000. Howard, J. (1996). John Howard on Multiculturalism. Multicultural Australia, 3 Dec. 1996. Koleth, E. (2010). Multiculturalism: a review of Australian policy statements and recent debates in Australia and overseas. Research Paper No. 6 2010-11, Parliament of Australia. Markus, A. (2013). Mapping Social Cohesion -The Scanlon Foundation Surveys 2013 National Report.http://scanlonfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mapping-social- cohesion-national-report-2013.pdf, viewed 20 Oct. 2016 Ozdowski, S. (2013). Australian Multiculturalism. The Roots of its Success. In Mazur, K., Musiewicz, P., & Szlachta B. (2013), Editors, Promoting Changes in Times of Transition and Crisis: Reflections on Human Rights Education. Krakow: Ksiegarnia Akademicka. Available at http://www.akademicka.pl. Scanlon Foundation (2016). Multiculturalism –Discussion Paper. http://scanlonfoundation.org.au/wpcontent/uploads/2016/02/DiscussionPaperMulticultura lismFINAL.pdf, viewed 10 Mar. 2016. Sibley, C. G., & Barlow, F. K. (2009). The ubiquity of Whiteness in majority group national imagination: Australian=White, but New Zealander does not. Australian Journal of Psychology, 61 ,119–127. Read More