Tweet
news.az, Azerbaijan
June 17 2011
Does European multiculturalism have an example to follow?
Fri 17 June 2011 07:12 GMT | 3:12 Local Time
The early 21st century has shown that "-isms" will always be with us.
A few months ago the leaders of Germany, Britain and France announced
the failure of "multiculturalism".
For many it became clear that the Old World is trying to form a new
attitude not only to foreign natives but also to review the place of
their own residents in the pan-European area. A bit later, British
Prime Minister David Cameron urged a shift to "muscular liberalism",
thus noting specifically that the total liberal approach to immigrants
is not limitless.
It seems a bit contradictory to declare the failure of what formed the
historical basis for European states for centuries. Europe is a
melting pot of cultures and traditions that united in a single
semi-state formation in the 20th century, for the first time since the
medieval age.
Different languages and cultures, since Spanish and German cultures
are unlikely to be considered identical, managed to create if not an
ideal but at least quite an appropriate and effective complex of
political and economic ties for over centuries. As a result, these
relations were reflected in the formation of the European Union.
However, in a few decades after the transformation of the Association
of Copper and Steel, the German chancellor speaks about the "absolute
failure" of multiculturalism. It is a very contradictory statement,
given that for example the modern population of Britain was formed on
the basis of the assimilation of many ethnicities, specifically, the
German tribes of Angles, Saxons and aboriginal tribes of Britons.
At the same time, the name of France comes from the name of the German
tribe of Franks and most of the population of the country has a mixed
Gallo-Roman origin. The Gallo-Romans formed the ethnogenetic basis of
Belgian Walloons and settled in the southern provinces of Belgium.
Despite attempts to present it as a sociocultural ghetto of the 21st
century for representatives of different cultures, multiculturalism
reserves significant conditions for convergence of the diversity, in
which people live.
If society enjoys the necessary level of freedom, people may
communicate and imitate each other. For example, Turks and Germans
cannot live in the same state and remain alien, without mutual
assimilation of traditions, languages and cultures.
The same as representatives of tellurocratia - the continental culture
- cannot live without assimilating the culture and traditions of
thalassocratia -the maritime culture, even despite their constant
contrasting.
It is not ruled out that European officials fear the threat of
assimilation and further changes in the genetic code, through it is
evident that the fear of changes in the cultural component of society
also exists.
Like everything else, every coin has a reverse side. In the issue of
multiculturalism, the reverse side partially lies in its geopolitical
understanding. The term "multiculturalism" for Europe has already
become part of the geoculture through which both internal and external
policy is made.
The multicultural "traditions" of Europe with witch hunts, auto-da-fe
and the feudal right to a special role in creating a "European family"
have not been forgotten.
Europe managed to reject all these "traditions" and has travelled a
hard path to the EU stars, while fighting hard for cultural diversity
today. And though the history of Europe is full of historical
discrepancies, we should not forget that when Europe was ruling the
world, it was not tolerant.
Some centuries ago, European values were inflicted by the sword and
through bloodshed, while European culture treated other races and
cultures differently. Two hypostases - idealism and cynicism -
alternated other in relation to representatives of different cultures.
But it is all in the past.
However, even now the sociocultural transformations in Europe over the
past decade raise a range of issues affecting the stable future of the
European area.
American political scientist Joseph Nye was right to say that
"national identities are still stronger than overall European
identity, despite six decades of integration, while national
interests, though already not so bright compared to the past, are
still important'.
Meanwhile, the other pressing European problem that is often a
reminder of "the failure of multiculturalism" is reflected in the
growth rate of the population.
Thus, The Economist writes that "in the 1900s Europe accounted for
one-quarter of the population of the world".
It is quite possible that by 2060 it will constitute just 6% of the
world population, while almost one-third will be older than 65.
In other words, in the absence of mechanisms for the adaptation of
representatives of other cultures, it is about losing not only
all-European but also partially national identity.
It is undoubted that throughout history states were created as melting
pots of peoples and ethnicities.
By mixing and assimilating new cultural and social features,
transforming archetypes, both Western and Eastern societies were
turned into people - a great separate and dispersed diversity, as
defined by the great Russian philosopher Ivan Ilyin.
Meanwhile, the separate diversity cannot be easily made a single whole
in an attempt to transform a Turk or an Arab into a Saxon or a German.
But, though multiculturalism preserves a separately taken autonomous
culture, recognizes the rights of collective ethnic formations or
ensures their capability to coexist with others without any
integration with the overall political culture, soft assimilation is
inevitable.
However, multiculturalism exists in Europe, whatever artificial or
other obstacles it faces, and the world has shining examples of the
coexistence of representatives of different peoples and ethnicities.
Certainly, the phenomenon of the late 20th century - globalization is
trying to smooth national and cultural features while creating a
common space.
However, cultural diversity is an important component of stability in
public development, apart from the fact that it threatens unforeseen
implications.
The historical and contemporary development of Azerbaijan shows that
European multiculturalism has a shining example to study and follow.
The presence of more than 15 ethnic groups, representatives of more
than 40 religious centres belonging to representatives of different
religions and trends in the country, testifies to the persistence of
multiculturalism in Azerbaijani society. Churches and synagogues,
mosques and cathedrals exist in Azerbaijan and the Albanian church is
being restored.
It is in Azerbaijan that we can see the settlement of Mountain Jews in
Krasnaya Sloboda, Molokans in Ivanovka, Udin village of Kish, Khinaliq
village, famous with its language, specific traditions, as well as
dozens of other settlements, representing different nations that have
become part of Azerbaijani society while preserving their languages,
cultures and historical traditions.
Thus, citing President Ilham Aliyev, it is possible to say that "the
experience of Azerbaijan in the past and through 20 years of its
independence shows that multiculturalism yields very positive results.
Those who are against multiculturalism must make a deeper analysis of
this issue.
"It is necessary to study the practice of countries that have positive
experience. If today some speak critically of multiculturalism, they
should be asked to propose something else instead. Would it be
self-isolation? Or discrimination towards other religions?'
By finding a golden medium in cultural diversity, Azerbaijan has
stepped to the level of liberal multicultural societies. Azerbaijani
society is tolerant to the lifestyle of other ethnicities, regardless
of whether they seek to integrate with the new society or prefer to
preserve their traditions and principles. It was the same before the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted.
The same is observed now, when over 20,000 Armenians live in the
country and there is a news agency and a TV program in Armenian. And
here it is a question of tolerance - the continuation of the concept
of multiculturalism.
Therefore, it should be taken as a guide to create the corresponding
conditions for representatives of different nations and ethnicities in
the territory of one state.
It is when the state treats each ethnicity with understanding of their
interests while implementing its own policy. This can be observed not
in every country, even in Europe.
Elnur Aslanov,
Doctor of Philosophy
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
June 17 2011
Does European multiculturalism have an example to follow?
Fri 17 June 2011 07:12 GMT | 3:12 Local Time
The early 21st century has shown that "-isms" will always be with us.
A few months ago the leaders of Germany, Britain and France announced
the failure of "multiculturalism".
For many it became clear that the Old World is trying to form a new
attitude not only to foreign natives but also to review the place of
their own residents in the pan-European area. A bit later, British
Prime Minister David Cameron urged a shift to "muscular liberalism",
thus noting specifically that the total liberal approach to immigrants
is not limitless.
It seems a bit contradictory to declare the failure of what formed the
historical basis for European states for centuries. Europe is a
melting pot of cultures and traditions that united in a single
semi-state formation in the 20th century, for the first time since the
medieval age.
Different languages and cultures, since Spanish and German cultures
are unlikely to be considered identical, managed to create if not an
ideal but at least quite an appropriate and effective complex of
political and economic ties for over centuries. As a result, these
relations were reflected in the formation of the European Union.
However, in a few decades after the transformation of the Association
of Copper and Steel, the German chancellor speaks about the "absolute
failure" of multiculturalism. It is a very contradictory statement,
given that for example the modern population of Britain was formed on
the basis of the assimilation of many ethnicities, specifically, the
German tribes of Angles, Saxons and aboriginal tribes of Britons.
At the same time, the name of France comes from the name of the German
tribe of Franks and most of the population of the country has a mixed
Gallo-Roman origin. The Gallo-Romans formed the ethnogenetic basis of
Belgian Walloons and settled in the southern provinces of Belgium.
Despite attempts to present it as a sociocultural ghetto of the 21st
century for representatives of different cultures, multiculturalism
reserves significant conditions for convergence of the diversity, in
which people live.
If society enjoys the necessary level of freedom, people may
communicate and imitate each other. For example, Turks and Germans
cannot live in the same state and remain alien, without mutual
assimilation of traditions, languages and cultures.
The same as representatives of tellurocratia - the continental culture
- cannot live without assimilating the culture and traditions of
thalassocratia -the maritime culture, even despite their constant
contrasting.
It is not ruled out that European officials fear the threat of
assimilation and further changes in the genetic code, through it is
evident that the fear of changes in the cultural component of society
also exists.
Like everything else, every coin has a reverse side. In the issue of
multiculturalism, the reverse side partially lies in its geopolitical
understanding. The term "multiculturalism" for Europe has already
become part of the geoculture through which both internal and external
policy is made.
The multicultural "traditions" of Europe with witch hunts, auto-da-fe
and the feudal right to a special role in creating a "European family"
have not been forgotten.
Europe managed to reject all these "traditions" and has travelled a
hard path to the EU stars, while fighting hard for cultural diversity
today. And though the history of Europe is full of historical
discrepancies, we should not forget that when Europe was ruling the
world, it was not tolerant.
Some centuries ago, European values were inflicted by the sword and
through bloodshed, while European culture treated other races and
cultures differently. Two hypostases - idealism and cynicism -
alternated other in relation to representatives of different cultures.
But it is all in the past.
However, even now the sociocultural transformations in Europe over the
past decade raise a range of issues affecting the stable future of the
European area.
American political scientist Joseph Nye was right to say that
"national identities are still stronger than overall European
identity, despite six decades of integration, while national
interests, though already not so bright compared to the past, are
still important'.
Meanwhile, the other pressing European problem that is often a
reminder of "the failure of multiculturalism" is reflected in the
growth rate of the population.
Thus, The Economist writes that "in the 1900s Europe accounted for
one-quarter of the population of the world".
It is quite possible that by 2060 it will constitute just 6% of the
world population, while almost one-third will be older than 65.
In other words, in the absence of mechanisms for the adaptation of
representatives of other cultures, it is about losing not only
all-European but also partially national identity.
It is undoubted that throughout history states were created as melting
pots of peoples and ethnicities.
By mixing and assimilating new cultural and social features,
transforming archetypes, both Western and Eastern societies were
turned into people - a great separate and dispersed diversity, as
defined by the great Russian philosopher Ivan Ilyin.
Meanwhile, the separate diversity cannot be easily made a single whole
in an attempt to transform a Turk or an Arab into a Saxon or a German.
But, though multiculturalism preserves a separately taken autonomous
culture, recognizes the rights of collective ethnic formations or
ensures their capability to coexist with others without any
integration with the overall political culture, soft assimilation is
inevitable.
However, multiculturalism exists in Europe, whatever artificial or
other obstacles it faces, and the world has shining examples of the
coexistence of representatives of different peoples and ethnicities.
Certainly, the phenomenon of the late 20th century - globalization is
trying to smooth national and cultural features while creating a
common space.
However, cultural diversity is an important component of stability in
public development, apart from the fact that it threatens unforeseen
implications.
The historical and contemporary development of Azerbaijan shows that
European multiculturalism has a shining example to study and follow.
The presence of more than 15 ethnic groups, representatives of more
than 40 religious centres belonging to representatives of different
religions and trends in the country, testifies to the persistence of
multiculturalism in Azerbaijani society. Churches and synagogues,
mosques and cathedrals exist in Azerbaijan and the Albanian church is
being restored.
It is in Azerbaijan that we can see the settlement of Mountain Jews in
Krasnaya Sloboda, Molokans in Ivanovka, Udin village of Kish, Khinaliq
village, famous with its language, specific traditions, as well as
dozens of other settlements, representing different nations that have
become part of Azerbaijani society while preserving their languages,
cultures and historical traditions.
Thus, citing President Ilham Aliyev, it is possible to say that "the
experience of Azerbaijan in the past and through 20 years of its
independence shows that multiculturalism yields very positive results.
Those who are against multiculturalism must make a deeper analysis of
this issue.
"It is necessary to study the practice of countries that have positive
experience. If today some speak critically of multiculturalism, they
should be asked to propose something else instead. Would it be
self-isolation? Or discrimination towards other religions?'
By finding a golden medium in cultural diversity, Azerbaijan has
stepped to the level of liberal multicultural societies. Azerbaijani
society is tolerant to the lifestyle of other ethnicities, regardless
of whether they seek to integrate with the new society or prefer to
preserve their traditions and principles. It was the same before the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted.
The same is observed now, when over 20,000 Armenians live in the
country and there is a news agency and a TV program in Armenian. And
here it is a question of tolerance - the continuation of the concept
of multiculturalism.
Therefore, it should be taken as a guide to create the corresponding
conditions for representatives of different nations and ethnicities in
the territory of one state.
It is when the state treats each ethnicity with understanding of their
interests while implementing its own policy. This can be observed not
in every country, even in Europe.
Elnur Aslanov,
Doctor of Philosophy
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress