Literature Review – Draft
(A) MULTICULTURALISM
DEFINING MULTICULTURALISM
The emerging and ever changing concept of multiculturalism makes it difficult to define. Various research papers have looked at many different concepts of multiculturalism. Joyce Mosely argues that multiculturalism is the mixing and sharing of cultural groups who value their diversity, and is a natural way of life that is all encompassing (4). Likewise Sharyn Pearce discusses multiculturalism as not just the co-existence of cultures it is a mix of various cultures (1). Jennifer Higgins takes a more simplistic approach saying that multiculturalism is a term “variably used to describe groups of people from non-white background, people of colour, or people of all cultures regardless of race” (5) The Australian Government Department of Social Services defines it as a “term which describes the cultural and ethnic diversity of contemporary Australia,” as well as detailing it as an integral part of Australian society (13). For the purposes of this research paper multiculturalism will be defined as the ethnic and cultural diversity of Australian society as well as the sharing of culture amoungst all members of society.
AUSTRALIA & MULTICULTURALISM
Multiculturalism has been part of Australian society since times of the gold rush and has become more prominent following Australia’s immigration policies of the 1970s. In the 20th century, the government actively constructed Australia to be a multicultural
Despite the all evidences that politics is allowing all kind of cultural diversity to grow within same territory. Those countries which have different cultures are trying to make their state a multicultural state in order to live with peace, for growth and development. This paper discusses about the past present and future of multiculturalism. Cultural diversity from very beginning was existing in different nation There are Jews in Germany, Poles in Ireland, Asians in Canada and so on but the level at which Multiculturalism have reached today became a political issue for those countries which have cultural diversities. People of different cultural diversity are enjoying the same rights and people are practicing different cultures as and extended form of their liberty. People have the freedom to do whatever they want but with in the framework of laws.So the people are exercising the libety of practicing their own culture.There is a discussion about remarkable history of multiculturalism, present position of multiculturalism and the future of multiculturalism. There is advancement is polity for a better sustainment of a country with diversity in culture of people. This popular master narrative is too quick to herald the death of multiculturalism, and mischaracterizes the nature of the experiments undertaken, exaggerates the extent to which they have been abandoned, and misidentifies not only the limitations encountered but also the options for addressing these
The concept of being a ‘nation of immigrants’ is at the center of Australian identity.
So what does “multiculturalism” mean? In simple terms multiculturalism is the coexistence, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures in a singular geographic or democratic jurisdiction. Multiculturalism has been a huge part of this study as Australia as a nation is diversified into a various cultural aspects. The concept of multiculturalism has become a widely accepted and embraced fact around the world as more and more countries have adopted to the global policies of acceptance which not only helps the nation economically but also contributes towards the growth of various cultural boundaries and also helps develop knowledge about wide spread variety of customs and culture groups around the world. Ultimately the essence of multiculturalism in any society is to eradicate the feeling of an outsider and accept ethnic and racial groups as their our and build the concept of unity in
Present day Australia is met with the issue of outlining a sense of a nationwide community, after the breakdown of the British race patriot idea in the mid-1960s with the introduction of multiculturalism. The Euro-centric perception of Australia was annulled and it was incapable in playing a significant part in Australian policies and priorities. It triggered a calamity of national identity and meaning. The credence that Australian’s were apart of Britain, united by history, tradition and blood needed to be revised. A people who had recognized themselves so strongly with the British race now had to accede their race awareness and apprehend the notion of being a now multicultural society. The dawn of multiculturalism also provoked a quandary for balancing a respect of the British heritage with the abating relevance of the British connection and to construct a new language of community from the residues of the old British ways.
Since World War 2 and the Vietnam War, Australia has become a multicultural country. Before the Vietnam War, though, the Australian government tried their best to keep Australia ‘white’. After the fear of communism from Vietnam, the government thought it would be in the country’s best interest to try and build up the population in Australia, but only allowing ‘white’ Europeans and British people to come. What is included in this report, is to discover how and why the migrants from non-European countries manage to change the face of modern Australia.
Reports from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2003a, 2003b, as cited in Ashman & Elkins, 2009, p. 7) show 25% of the Australian population is currently made up of migrants from around 200 countries. This fact demonstrates Australia, on the whole, has a tolerant and inclusive society. A society can be identified as a collection of people who live together in a relatively ordered community (Ashman & Elkins, 2009, p. 7). It could be said, Australia has one of the most inclusive societies on the planet; however, this was not always the case.
“Multiculturalism exists when people accept and encourage many cultures to thrive in a society. Multiculturalism can lead to many great outcomes, including racial and ethnic harmony, which simply means that people from different backgrounds get along well together. Living with and accepting different cultures helps us understand each other and discourage hatred and violence.” () Furthermore, various ethnic groups introduce their individual beliefs, traditions, as well as, religions to the Canadian society. Generally speaking, be part of an expanding multicultural society has impacted Canada economically, demographically and socially. Thus, the presence of the variety of different cultures, languages and heritages, results in the need for the county to adapt and change, based on the new reality of Canada.
The immigration policy of Australia has been in a constant state of flux ever since Federation in 1901, when the first legislative piece, the Immigration Restriction Act, was introduced. The Immigration Restriction Act has become infamous in Australian history and throughout the world, more nefariously as the ‘White Australia Policy’. The White Australia Policy was Australia’s seemingly indestructible way of ensuring a White Australia. However, the immigration of European refugees after World War II, which aimed to defend the nation from Japanese invasion, challenged this policy. From 1901, Australia held a strong belief that coloured people, specifically Asians, were inferior and detrimental to the Australian way of life, and did all in it’s
Firstly, the existence of multiculturalism must lead to some differences. But to be respected and enhance the freedom of others can reduce conflict of culture. Sometimes, religion faith can decide lifestyle and ideology of others. Every religion has their faith and rites. Based on the Australia bureau of statistics’ survey (2011), there were above five hundred diverse tribe group or nation around the state,
Culture is always changing. Beliefs, behaviours and presentation, religion and language all form part of what is an individual’s or community’s culture. (Bowes, Grace, & Hodge, 2012, p.75 & 77). Due to its intrinsic nature, when people migrate to Australia, they bring their culture with them. As migrants come from all over the world, and not the one place, their
The identity of Australians from foreigner or outsider perspective is based on perceptions, stereotypes, hearsay, and experiences different people have had while visiting or staying in Australia for work or school. Identity is closely linked to cultural and social aspects of society, where certain beliefs, values, and behaviours, are subscribed to by the said community or society. A sense of belonging to people, to individuals, families, communities, and nations is provided by identity. Australia is a multicultural society that is made up of about 260 languages and over 270 ancestries, even though urban Australia is fluid in its social composition. There have been controversies on immigration particularly about the widely diverse cultures and
This paper is divided into two parts. In the first part the concepts or race, ethnicity, prejudice and racism are defined and how they are connected is discussed. Part 2 of the paper looks at the ‘White Australia’ policy and why it was introduced. The impact of such a racist immigration history on contemporary Australia is also discussed in terms of attitudes and behaviours of the population. Following is a brief discussion on how successive government polic
Australia is a settler nation which is now made up of many ethnic groups who share similar cultural traditions, common language, shared history and a shared identity (ABS, 2016). These groups contribute to what is referred to multiculturalism. Australia has a higher proportion of people born overseas than the US, Canada and the UK, with 49% of Australia’s population (or a parent) being born overseas (Census of Population and Housing, 2016). Compared to other Western nations, Australia has one of the most diverse immigration populations (Collins, 2013, p. 145). The meaning of multiculturalism in Australia has changed significantly over time. Today, Australia is a culturally and ethnically diverse country and therefore is a multicultural society. In terms of public policy, multiculturalism can be defined as policies and practices implemented by the Australian government that aim to manage cultural diversity to benefit the whole of society (Department of Social Services, 2014). Although Australia is a multicultural society, there are criticisms of public policy surrounding multiculturalism.
Australia has always been a multicultural country, the first immigrants that came to Australia were the British in 1788. During this phase of European settlement various policies were created to address cultural diversity. One of the most infamous policies was that of assimilation that forced Australian Aboriginal people and migrants to give up their own culture and heritage and assimilate to colonial Australian culture. Eventually this policy was revised to Multiculturalism. That as a policy in Australia refers to handling the ramifications of diversity, bearing in mind that all Australians have the right to a cultural identity, all citizens must be able to express their cultural inheritance. Whether Multiculturalism is advantageous for Australia or not is a very controversial topic. There is a side that argues that multiculturalism could threaten the lifestyle of many Australians. On the other hand, research demonstrates that from an Australian perspective it has been mostly advantageous. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of multiculturalism in Australia, with regard to economical, historical and social perspectives.
Throughout history to present day, Australian culture has become the product of a distinct blend of established traditions and new influences. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the country’s original inhabitants, created the foundation for the land’s cultural traditions over 40,000 years ago. In addition, the rest of Australia’s people are migrants or descendants of migrants from various other countries who transported their own customs, beliefs, and value systems to the land. As a result, Australia’s culture has significantly broadened its social and cultural profile over the years, and still continues to evolve today.