The Equality – Difference Paradox: National policies on pluralism

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This chapter uses the equality–difference paradox as a framework to conceptualize and analyze broad policy approaches that attempt to resolve the tension between conflicting tendencies between equality and multiculturalism due to transnational migration. The authors advocate for a mediating position that takes into account the differences and strengths of different cultures without ranking them overall. The chapter applies the paradox to two examples in Western liberal democracies by examining how the paradox is confronted in Denmark and the United States. It also examines two non-Western cases: forced coercion in a dictatorial regime (China) contrasted with more pluralistic policies in a multicultural democratic case (India). The chapter ends by discussing omniculturalism as a policy for dealing with immigration. The omnicultural imperative offers a path out of the inherent tensions of the paradox of diversity and equality and the contrasting policies of assimilation and multiculturalism.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationContemporary Immigration : Psychological Perspectives to Address Challenges and Inform Solutions
EditorsFathali M. Moghaddam, Margaret J. Hendricks
PublisherAPA
Publication dateSep 2022
Pages281–300
Chapter15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sep 2022

ID: 319880179