The Impact of Multiculturalism on Liberal Education in America

In: The Journal of social, political and economic studies, Band 20, Heft 3, S. 289-298

Abstract

Relativist multiculturalism bears little resemblance to true multiculturalism, as this examination of relativist multiculturalism's critique of classical liberal education in the US reveals. Classical liberal toleration recognizes & attempts to relieve the natural tension between individual liberty & social cohesion by tolerating extraordinary individuals, while asking, in the name of social harmony, that they keep to themselves. Relativist multiculturalism celebrates -- rather than merely tolerates -- extraordinary individuals, & therefore would replace classical liberalism's equality of rights with an equality of lifestyles. However, in subordinating the goal of social harmony to that of self-creation, relativist multiculturalism threatens separatism, hostility, & violence, leading in time, perhaps, to a new civil war. M. Maguire