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Melting Pots and Salad Bowls Reflections on Multiculturalism in Europe Scott Moore America has long thought of itself as a nation built from disparate immigrant groups. Yet some of the most radical attempts to create tolerant multicultural societies are occurring in Europe. This is of course no coincidence; in the post Second-World War period most major European countries have experienced great infusions of immigrants. In Britain and the Netherlands, especially, the ideal of a tolerant multiculturalism has worked its way into the national consciousness. This new multiculturalism is seen as intrinsically valuable; diversity itself is a virtue. Traditionally, immigrants to Europe were expected to conform in time to a dominant, and largely Eurocentric, world view. Multiculturalism was not an end; it was a means to assimilation. The new multiculturalism, however, lauds diversity as a societal ideal. According to this ideal, assimilation in any complete sense is not necessary, nor even desirable. The diversity of a multicultural society is itself a valuable end. Recent events, however, have threatened this new multiculturalism. The murder of Theo van Gogh, a prominent Dutch filmmaker, by an Islamic fundamentalist brought some to question whether the new multiculturalism in fact threatened Dutch values. Similarly, the attacks on the London Underground by native British citizens have induced some to proclaim the failure of new multiculturalism. These commentators point to the tolerance extended to radical Islamic groups in Britain and claim that lack of assimilation allowed such hatred to fester. There is no question that European multiculturalism faces grave challenges. Yet the argument that multiculturalism is conducive to Islamic terrorism conflates two entirely separate issues. Radical Islamic terrorism is a manifestation of a conflict that is occurring within the faith itself. It is a global conflict, and one that does not manifest itself solely in countries that play host to experiments in the new multiculturalism. It demonstrates not the broad failure of multiculturalism in Europe, but simply the failure of European society to develop effective strategies of integration. The headscarf issue in France was a particularly poignant illustration of the confrontation between those who would impress “European” values upon immigrants, and those who would allow immigrants to express their values within the context of tolerance. These two dichotomous approaches to integration belie the struggles that a mostly white, mostly Christian Europe is experiencing as it absorbs more immigrants. It also suggests the failure of an assimilation-based integration strategy. The success of an integration strategy depends not on less multiculturalism, but of more. That Europe will absorb increasing numbers of immigrants seems a near-certainty; as its native population declines, its future must increasingly come from abroad. As the numbers and influence of immigrants increase, the strategy of imposing traditional national values on new arrivals will become increasingly untenable. Europe will have to accept that it will be re-molded in the crucible of immigration. To be sure, certain values, such as democracy and the rule of law, must be upheld. Yet it is unreasonable to think that cultural integration is a one-way street. Immigrants must integrate themselves into Europe, but Europe must also integrate itself into an increasingly cosmopolitan world. As the American experience demonstrates, this is no bad thing. American society has experienced extraordinary dynamism resulting from immigration. One of its greatest achievements has been the slow (and sometimes reluctant) synthesis of multicultural experiences to coalesce into a remarkably innovative culture. Europe, in the throes of demographic decline and economic stagnation, could perhaps benefit from just such a renaissance. What, then, will a successfully multicultural Europe look like? It will be one of greater openness and flexibility. The comforts of the welfare state insure against dire immigrant poverty, but they also stymie upward mobility. Protectionist cultural policies also discriminate against multicultural voices, particularly in Francophone nations. Similarly, the zealously enforced ideal of sterile secularism in France present a special challenge to Muslims, for whom outward symbols of faith are essential. Greater immigration appears to be both a necessity and a blessing for modern Europe. This massive social flux is occurring in the midst of increasing tension between the developed and developing world. It thus faces special challenges. Yet to overcome them requires not a retreat into nativism, but rather an embrace of the special dynamism of multicultural societies. History has not been kind to such experiments, yet in their results can be glimpsed the future not only of Europe, but of all humankind. Scott Moore is a sophomore. |
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