Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Jim S. Frideres
Every once in a while, a scholar produces a book that captures the readers
imagination, is well written and organized, presents an argument that is articulate,
provides data that support the argument being made, and forces colleagues to rethink
their views on a topic. This is one such book. The issue of multiculturalism has
become an issue of intense theoretical and political debate in recent times. Moreover,
academics and others of various hues and from a range of disciplines have become
preoccupied by the need to develop a better understanding of multiculturalism.
Kymlicka, knowing full well the political and academic controversy of the topic,
jumps into the debate with a well-presented, well-reasoned, and convincing
argument. Moreover, he is up front with his ideological position. He favors the
creation of liberal multiculturalism, and he feels that its impact is desirable and
beneficial to all. He argues that multiculturalist policies in the West have been
instrumental—indeed, crucial in dealing with ethnic politics and have supported
democracy and strengthened human rights. Its impact on post-colonial or communist
countries has been less successful; but nevertheless, it has had a strong impact on
minority–majority relations with regard to human rights, language rights, and issues
of self-determination.
Kymlicka argues that in the past four decades, there has been a major ideological
change with respect to how nation states deal with ethnocultural minorities. He
argues that as a result of this shift, there has been an adoption of policies by states
that accommodate immigrants groups, accept language rights for minorities, and are
prepared (more or less) to deal with land claims and self-government for indigenous
peoples. The question is, “are the claims that Klymlicka make correct?” and if so,
how did this come about? Kymlicka, then, sets his focus on documenting that there
is a new model that exists, and it is a result of pressure brought upon the state by
J. S. Frideres (*)
Department of Sociology, University of Calgary,
2500 University Drive, N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
e-mail: frideres@ucalgary.ca
420 J.S. Frideres
argues that they now must develop norms and standards with regard to minorities
and indigenous people if states are to develop long term liberal multiculturalism.
Besides shedding light on a controversial issue, Kymlicka’s book adds to the
substantive content of the discipline by clearly delineating the differences between
western states and those emerging out of a post-colonial or communist history. For
example, he notes that in the West, it is generally a minority that feels it has been
mistreated while in post-communist societies; it is typically the majority that feels it
has been oppressed. He also addressed the issue of “security;” an issue that all states
have to cope with. He notes that demands made by minorities or indigenous people
can be “trumped” by the state simply through claiming this is a “security” issue. As
such, state repression is legitimized. Hence, the issue of “securitization” needs to be
carefully analyzed before policies are implemented to deny minorities their rights.
Finally, he demonstrates that multiculturalism emerged through the mobilization
efforts of non-dominant groups and, in fact, emerged in the face of resistance by
neo-liberals and business elites of the state. Surprisingly, these forces have come to,
sort of, embrace multiculturalism although the support is not unconditional and
could evaporate as new structural and economic conditions emerge.
Kymlicka has produced an exceptional book. Its lively and engaging style will
draw in the reader. He presents a new analysis of multiculturalism and one that
scholars working in the area will have to deal with. It offers intriguing and pertinent
insights into the nature of multiculturalism and its supporters. The Owl of Minerva
starts its flight as dusk and just as we thought the debate was coming to an end,
Kymlicka has reignited the controversy. The book is an exemplary presentation of
the complexities of multiculturalism and the politics in which it is embedded. It is an
extremely important book for scholars and policy makers in the area ethnic relations
and multiculturalism. Will Kymlicka has produced a worthy successor to his earlier
work, and its lively and engaging style add to its accessibility to undergraduates,
graduate students, policy makers, and scholars.