THE IDEA OF MULTICULTURALISM – NEW CULTURE OF THE WORLD

Abstract

Regardless of the manner in which we closely determine multiculturalism, like an idea or a concept or as a new political theory (to name only a few that can be found in contemporary writings) one thing is certain – it is an important discourse in a way of understanding contemporary social relations. The significance of the term, or rather the significance of the new approaches to multiculturalism that are offered today, reflects in the very topics, issues and dilemmas that it is attempting to (re) define. In this regard, in the focus of multiculturalism are: culture, identity, sense of belonging, justice, human rights – or we might say, all of the essential and crucial issues of humanity. The history of humanity and social relations, has of course dealt with these issues prior to the multiculturalism. However, the evens and processes of a world wide range like post colonialism, reaffirmation of minorities, intensified migrations and of course globalisation demand new considerations and redefining of the terms: culture, identity, sense of belonging and also defined mechanisms that would provide new concepts and new definitions. Multiculturalism is a historical fact and it is not new in itself, what is new is its global dimension and the frequency of discussions about it that are led both in it-s favour and against it.