Immigration and multiculturalism in a situation of great cultural distance Cover Image

Imigracja i wielokulturowość w warunkach dużego dystansu kulturowego
Immigration and multiculturalism in a situation of great cultural distance

Author(s): Janusz T. Hryniewicz
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: EUROREG - Uniwersytet Warszawski, Regional Studies Association - Sekcja Polska
Keywords: multiculturalism; immigrants; cultural distance; human rights

Summary/Abstract: Multiculturalism is a kind of social policy that depends on cultural neutrality of the state. Huge communities of immigrants of non-European cultures arose in Western Europe. In response to this phenomenon, European states initiated a multicultural social policy. In effect, many behaviours of immigrants turned out to be at variance with human rights, but consistent with multiculturalism. Great cultural distance between European societies and immigrants caused more serious problems with integration than had been expected. Nowadays, we can observe a contestation, but not abandonment, of the multicultural policy, accompanied by anti-immigrant sentiments. A new social policy ought to facilitate the adaptation of immigrants in economic and politic institutions, and to respect human rights as a key value.

  • Issue Year: 12/2011
  • Issue No: 45
  • Page Range: 5-24
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Polish