Introduction
The idea of human migration goes back in history because it is an inevitably necessary part of the development process. Human migration has been critical in the mingling of various cultures experienced throughout history. Human movement, caused by a diverse range of factors, has contributed to a significant degree of diversity in some parts of the world. The mingling of cultures has introduced new perspectives concerning the relationship between norms, practices, beliefs, and values of different groups of people. In countries like the United States and Canada, many people can truthfully say they are immigrants apart from Inuit and Native Americans. The issue of immigration and integration into the main society has drawn debates on what constitutes assimilation and multiculturalism.
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism has a wide array of meanings within the contexts of political philosophy, sociology, or even in a conversational setting. However, the general meaning of the term is the co-existence of many cultures. In this context, culture includes religious, cultural, or racial groups that are defined by a unique set of values, assumptions, beliefs, practices, customary behaviors, and patterns of thinking. In the realms of politics and sociology, the concept is concerned with identifying and responding to challenges that arise due to diversity. As far as societies like the United States are concerned, proponents of multiculturalism strongly reject the idea of minority groups assimilating into the dominant cultures. Interestingly, such proponents believe multiculturalism is compatible with the integration of immigrants into society. However, the degree of integration is determined by multiculturalism policies.
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The concept is traced back to the 19th century as part of the pragmatism movement. The idea of multiculturalism has existed since ancient times. Nasar Meer (2016) traces the origin of the concept to Ancient Greece, where there existed small regions with different groups of people who differed in dialects, identities, costumes, and traditions. Examples of such regions include Doris, Epirus, Aetolia, and Locris (Meer, 2016). The Ottoman Empire is an excellent example of the existence of multiculturalism in ancient times; it comprised Muslims (as the majority), Jews, Christians, and pagan Arabs. Although the concept of multiculturalism was popular since ancient times, Nasar Meer (2016) points out that it began as a philosophy in the 19th century in America and Europe. Multiculturalism is often associated with Western nations, which are mainly made of people from varying backgrounds.
On political and social dimensions, the modern understanding of multiculturalism took effect after the occurrence of certain life-changing political events. Rhoads and Valadez (2016) document that modern multiculturalism emanates from the Western world's reforms following the Second World War. Events after the conclusion of the war marked the beginning of the "human rights" revolution, where the horrendous implications of institutional racism and colonized nations in Africa and Asia fought for independence (Rhoads & Valadez (2016). Thus, multiculturalism in nations like the United States was centered on the need to end racism, protect minority groups, and do away with policies that prevented minorities from equity, freedom, and opportunities.
However, the perception and approach to multiculturalism differ from one state to another. For instance, Canada is termed the supporter of multiculturalism because of its political emphasis on immigration's social significance. Multiculturalist experts like Rhoads and Valadez (2016) argue that Canada is a perfect illustration of modern multiculturalism's political awareness. In some other states where their political ideology is founded on the principles of communism, policies have been adopted that are parallel to the traditional approaches of multiculturalism. Good examples include Denmark and Netherlands considering monoculturalism, and Malaysia that is attempting to achieve a single "Malaysian Race" (Rodrigues, 2020). A majority of nations in America, Asia, and Africa, are still considered multicultural in a descriptive sense.
Assimilation
Assimilation occurs when minority groups resemble behaviors, beliefs, values, and practices of a dominant cultural group. In other words, it is a concept of sociology and anthropology where groups of people from an ethnic heritage are absorbed into a dominant group. Scholars live Milton Gordon (2015) understand assimilation as acculturation but in its extreme form. Culture may be voluntary, but a group might be compelled to assimilate by way of force in some cases. An example of this is seen in the era of colonization when colonizers imposed their beliefs and traditions on their colonies. However, time has proven that it is difficult to completely replace cultural practices and traditions such as food, religion, and aesthetics, which strongly resist change. It is important to note that biological or racial-based fusion does not constitute assimilation.
Like multiculturalism, assimilation goes back in time. However, modern assimilation dynamics are particularly referenced from forced assimilation of indigenous people in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries by European colonial empowers (Small-Clouden, 2016). Colonial policies in Africa, Australia, Asia, Americas forced indigenous people to convert in various ways. They included separating children from their families, dividing community property to individually-owned properties, redefining gender roles, and restricting access to traditional foods (Small-Clouden, 2016). Most of the time, as history demonstrates, forced assimilation has multiple adverse effects on recipient cultures and is often hardly successful. Voluntary assimilation, on the other hand, produces more results than expected.
Voluntary assimilation occurs due to pressure from the dominant cultures, an aspect that has also been prevalent throughout history. Reitz and Sklar (2015) cite the Spanish Inquisition of the 14th and 15th centuries as the most effective voluntary assimilation of the time. It involved Jews and Muslims converting to Roman Catholicism in response to religious persecution by the Spanish. Another excellent example of voluntary assimilation occurred when a significant number of Europeans migrated to the United States. They passed their Anglo-Protestant beliefs to the locals, which helped mitigate resistance and violence from the locals. To date, a considerable number of Americans subscribe to the values of Anglo-Protestantism. Some nations use voluntary assimilation to create a more defined way of life that is identifiable to their political, social, and economic baseline.
Analysis
Assimilation and multiculturalism are two worldviews of culture that differ substantially. While multiculturalism is concerned with the co-existence of between different cultures, assimilation involves dominant cultures consuming minority groups into their traditions, behaviors, and practices. The objective of assimilation is to have a single dominant culture that defines a particular culture's identity. Citizenship and immigration serve as platforms for comparing the assimilation and multiculturalism. The comparison of the two, with their consideration of the United States and Canada's statuses, has drawn a heated debate on which of the two is a more effective approach to achieving a stable political and social ideology. While some argue that good national policies foster assimilations, others contest arguing that assimilation does not favor immigrants.
Multiculturalism is seen as an idealistically genuine attempt to forge a new vibrant society that embodies diversity. Looking at Canada's case, which embraces multiple races and ethnicities and encourages the practice of a variety of cultural traditions and beliefs, multiculturalism has its good sides (Reitz & Sklar, 2015). The countries experience with many communities realized through its economic and political programs that encourage immigration distinguishes it from many countries. The very existence of Canada is tied to diversity from its beginning. Thus, its approach to diversity is based on the belief that the common good, regardless of individual differences, achieved when everyone is accepted and respected.
The country demonstrates that multiculturalism does not involve the superiority of a particular culture over others. Thus, the country is an example that racism, segregation, and other problems associated with multiculturalism remain to be myths. Essentially, multiculturalism is about acknowledging that different groups exist in society and thus having the capacity to tolerate and accept these differences (Reitz & Sklar, 2015). Canadians benefit from multiculturalism in numerous ways. First, they have an enriched cultural expression that makes everyday life more exciting. Secondly, as opposed to the popular belief that it encourages racism, multiculturism is an ideal anti-racism measure. Accepting and tolerating one another brings people together, and with such a level of a stronger unity, people can overcome barriers in society.
Proponents of assimilation, who also serve as strong opponents of multiculturalism, believe assimilation is best. For instance, Bruce Thornton (2011), who documents how multiculturalism has failed in California, states that assimilation is beneficial to American society. According to the author, while immigrants bring their skills and cultural experiences to the country, they should pick up essential American values. The author, who quotes prominent politicians like Angela Markel and Nicolas Sarkozy, argues that assimilation creates a constructive society free from the implications of multiculturalism. A multiculturalist society has a weak national collective identity.
Conclusion
The debate on which of the two is a more effective approach to running a society is complicated. For instance, the choice of whether to exercise assimilation or multiculturalism in the United States is an unending debate. Supporters of assimilation note that multiculturalism has failed before, and the attempt to uphold every culture's values would distort the country's collective identity and its people. However, Canada's case proves that multiculturalism is not bad, and if done right, it has multiple advantages. The fear of losing the identity that is centered on Americans remains just that – a fear. At one point, Canada has never lost its national identity despite encouraging global immigration and welcoming diversity. When people accept and welcome one another voluntarily, they coexist peacefully. Thus, multiculturalism is more powerful.
References
Thornton B. S. (2011). How assimilation Works – and how multiculturalism has wrecked it in California. City Journal (California), 21 (2).
Gordon, M. M. (2015). The nature of assimilation. In Incorporating Diversity (pp. 103-118). Routledge.
Meer, N. (Ed.). (2016). Multiculturalism and interculturalism: Debating the dividing lines . Edinburgh University Press.
Reitz, J. G., & Sklar, S. M. (2015). Culture, race, and the economic assimilation of immigrants. In Sociological Forum (Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 233-277). Kluwer Academic Publishers-Plenum Publishers.
Rhoads, R. A., & Valadez, J. R. (2016). Democracy, multiculturalism, and the community college: A Critical Perspective . Routledge.
Rumbaut, R. G. (2015). Assimilation of immigrants. James D. Wright (editor-in-chief), International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences , 2 , 81-87.
Small-Clouden, L. (2016). Globalization, assimilation, culture erasure: A review of Trinidad and Tobago. Journal of Organizational Psychology , 16 (1).
