Ilan Zvi Baron On Multiculturalism

On the contrary, Ilan Zvi Baron illustrates that “no state is homogenous and there are always minority populations. To presume that an absence of minorities is a prerequisite to stability and unity is empirically unfounded and morally questionable” (1040). In other words, to speculate that immigrants can conform to a single national identity is unreasonable. State stability does NOT rely on uniformity; this notion was developed due to an assumption that diversity is a cause of chaos (Baron 1041). Opposed to multicultural beliefs, dual loyalties are the norm. In fact, Baron indicates that dual loyalty allows immigrants to possess a fluid individual identification, which ultimately, encourages a true multiculturalism (1039). Since Canada is not a nation-sate, it is evitable that multiculturalism limits the freedom of minorities by confining them to cultural and geographic ethnic boundaries (Prato 16). …show more content…
This further implies the complexity of multiculturalism; the concept is not simply black and white, it cannot always be categorized by three factors as outlined by Kymlicka. In general, Baron’s work is quite interesting as it challenges the popular view of multiculturalism. His arguments clearly convey an appreciation for pluralism – one in which proves that a single sovereign liberal state is not realistic. As Colin Powell stated in response to the suggestion that Obama was Muslim and that this could jeopardize his commitment to the State – what does it matter if Obama is Muslim? (Baron