Revealing the multiculturalist's illusion: a liberal critique

B Philosophy (General);JC Political theory

Baillie, Carole ; Colburn, Ben

University:University of Glasgow

Department:School of Humanities

关键词: Multiculturalism, group rights, culture, recognition, nationality, ethnicity, race, cosmopolitanism.;   

Others  :  http://theses.gla.ac.uk/6332/1/2015BailliePhD.pdf

来源: University of Glasgow

【 摘 要 】

Multiculturalism has become a hot topic in political philosophy. This thesis investigates the philosophical foundations of multicultural theories through examining the key concepts commonly relied upon. A careful examination of each concept and the way in which they are interconnected, reveals an interesting strategy that the multiculturalist employs. It is my contention that the multiculturalist relies on a complex web of nebulous concepts which fools the reader into thinking that their theory rests on strong foundations. However, when we clear away the fog of confusion, we can see that the multiculturalist has presented us with an illusion, and none of the concepts remain strong enough to hold any of the normative weight they need them to. Multiculturalism relies on grandiloquent rhetoric and muddled thinking, and will ultimately fail to achieve the liberal goals it purports to.