Does multiculturalism work in Europe?

Topic:
Cultural Debates

5 Contributors
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Yes
60% of users

  • Yes, it does work, and there is much to be gained from multiculturalism in Europe.

    Multiculturalism can work very well in Europe, just as, through history, Europeans going to other places and affecting their cultures. It did bring some strife and, perhaps, they were a little overpowering. But, it also brought us connections with people from all parts of the world. It can bring creativity. It is also good to learn things from other places, because it helps us remember that we are all on the same planet, and we can share cultures with each other.

    Yes RigidJamal55

  • Multiculturalism works in Europe, because it promotes acceptance.

    Cultures differ and sometimes clash, that is true. But, without a foundation of respect, like multiculturalism, the clashes would be much worse. We live in a global world, and cannot escape running into those with different cultures and ideas than us. Because of this, respect and cooperation are necessary, and will become increasingly more necessary in the future.

    Yes SpikyWesley

  • Yes, because I believe multiculturalism should take place everywhere.

    Having a variety of culture everywhere modernizes Europe, and can bring in new cultures. Varieties of things are always the best. For example, when British took over a colony in Hawaii, they brought new people and food, mixing the cultures together, making more and more cultures. Also, living in a multicultural country makes everybody feel equal, and it teaches kids about other cultures.

    Yes RacialMark95
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No
40% of users

  • No, multiculturalism does not work in Europe, as is evident by the French riots, which were just the tip of an iceberg.

    Most of Europe, especially western Europe, is a civilization unto itself. The varying nationalities might disagree with that assessment, but former imperial Europe had cultural clashes with Africa and the Middle East, and those continue today. Many peoples from former colonized nations move to and live in Europe, but their cultural assimilation has been very rocky. From outrage over Danish cartoons, to the French riots, to the controversy of minarets in Switzerland, Muslims are finding Europe not to be as liberal, open, and welcoming as they would seem.

    No FlakyHerb64

  • Multiculturalism does not work in Europe, because the dominant "native" culture of the continent is both unwilling to work on incorporating immigrant cultures, and unwilling to tolerate their lack of their corporation.

    While multiculturalism is failing in Europe, it is due more to the dominant native culture of the Europeans, rather than the "multicultural" immigrants themselves. The countries of the continent have set up a catch-22 for anyone attempting to immigrate into them, being both unwilling to offer incentive to cultural integration, and unwilling to tolerate the consequences of non-integration. For decades now, the nations of Europe have failed to provide any positive reason for immigrants of other cultures to assimilate into their host country. There are no financial, political, or other rewards for doing so. Indeed, the dominant credo has seemed to be one of ignoring the growing immigrant population and hoping for the best. Now that this has resulted in conflicting cultural "enclaves" in the continent, which was to be expected from such a policy of neglect, the response is to blame the immigrants themselves. The purpose of multiculturalism is to foster a diverse and beneficial population who can each aid the others as a collective country. Without some reason for these cultures to identify with their host country, however, and value the benefits of togetherness over their own individual culture's mandates, it is no surprise that the policy has failed.

    No MammothKris62
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