The Future of Multicultural Britain (Hardcover)

Pathik Pathak

ISBN 10: 0748635440 / ISBN 13: 9780748635443

Published by Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2008

About this Item

Hardcover. Global politics are deeply affected by issues surrounding cultural identity. Profound cultural diversity has made national majorities increasingly anxious and democratic governments are under pressure to address those anxieties. Multiculturalism - once heralded as the insignia of a tolerant society - is now blamed for encouraging segregation and harbouring extremism.Pathik Pathak makes a convincing case for a new progressive politics that confronts these concerns. Drawing on fascinating comparisons between Britain and India, he shows how the global Left has been hamstrung by a compulsion for insular identity politics and a stubborn attachment to cultural indifference. He argues that to combat this, cultural identity must be placed at the centre of the political system.Written in a lively style, this book will engage anyone with an interest in the future of our multicultural society.Key Features*Takes Britain and India as comparative case studies of two multicultural democracies*Surveys new directions for the progressive Left following the demise of multiculturalism*Challenges what the progressive position on cultural identity should entail This book identifies two key themes: (i) that contemporary global politics has rendered many of the world's democracies susceptible to the rhetoric and policy of majoritarianism; and (ii) that majoritarianism plays on popular anxieties that invariably gravitate towards cultural identity and multiculturalism. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780748635443

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Future of Multicultural Britain (Hardcover)
• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh
• Publication Date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0748635440
• ISBN 13: 9780748635443
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Global politics are deeply affected by issues surrounding cultural identity. Profound cultural diversity has made national majorities increasingly anxious and democratic governments are under pressure to address those anxieties. Multiculturalism - once heralded as the insignia of a tolerant society - is now blamed for encouraging segregation and harbouring extremism.Pathik Pathak makes a convincing case for a new progressive politics that confronts these concerns. Drawing on fascinating comparisons between Britain and India, he shows how the global Left has been hamstrung by a compulsion for insular identity politics and a stubborn attachment to cultural indifference. He argues that to combat this, cultural identity must be placed at the centre of the political system.Written in a lively style, this book will engage anyone with an interest in the future of our multicultural society.Key Features*Takes Britain and India as comparative case studies of two multicultural democracies*Surveys new directions for the progressive Left following the demise of multiculturalism*Challenges what the progressive position on cultural identity should entail

About the Author

Pathik Pathak is a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Southampton