Culture and Equality

An Egalitarian Critique of Multiculturalism

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book Culture and Equality by Brian Barry, Wiley
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Brian Barry ISBN: 9780745665641
Publisher: Wiley Publication: May 2, 2013
Imprint: Polity Language: English
Author: Brian Barry
ISBN: 9780745665641
Publisher: Wiley
Publication: May 2, 2013
Imprint: Polity
Language: English

All major western countries today contain groups that differ in their religious beliefs, customary practices or ideas about the right way in which to live. How should public policy respond to this diversity? In this important new work, Brian Barry challenges the currently orthodox answer and develops a powerful restatement of an egalitarian liberalism for the twenty-first century.

Until recently it was assumed without much question that cultural diversity could best be accommodated by leaving cultural minorities free to associate in pursuit of their distinctive ends within the limits imposed by a common framework of laws. This solution is rejected by an influential school of political theorists, among whom some of the best known are William Galston, Will Kymlicka, Bhikhu Parekh, Charles Taylor and Iris Marion Young. According to them, this 'difference-blind' conception of liberal equality fails to deliver either liberty or equal treatment. In its place, they propose that the state should 'recognize' group identities, by granting groups exemptions from certain laws, publicly 'affirming' their value, and by providing them with special privileges or subsidies.

In Culture and Equality, Barry offers an incisive critique of these arguments and suggests that theorists of multiculturism tend to misdiagnose the problems of minority groups. Often, these are not rooted in culture, and multiculturalist policies may actually stand in the way of universalistic measures that would be genuinely beneficial.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

All major western countries today contain groups that differ in their religious beliefs, customary practices or ideas about the right way in which to live. How should public policy respond to this diversity? In this important new work, Brian Barry challenges the currently orthodox answer and develops a powerful restatement of an egalitarian liberalism for the twenty-first century.

Until recently it was assumed without much question that cultural diversity could best be accommodated by leaving cultural minorities free to associate in pursuit of their distinctive ends within the limits imposed by a common framework of laws. This solution is rejected by an influential school of political theorists, among whom some of the best known are William Galston, Will Kymlicka, Bhikhu Parekh, Charles Taylor and Iris Marion Young. According to them, this 'difference-blind' conception of liberal equality fails to deliver either liberty or equal treatment. In its place, they propose that the state should 'recognize' group identities, by granting groups exemptions from certain laws, publicly 'affirming' their value, and by providing them with special privileges or subsidies.

In Culture and Equality, Barry offers an incisive critique of these arguments and suggests that theorists of multiculturism tend to misdiagnose the problems of minority groups. Often, these are not rooted in culture, and multiculturalist policies may actually stand in the way of universalistic measures that would be genuinely beneficial.

More books from Wiley

Cover of the book The New Gold Standard by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Geometry of Convex Sets by Brian Barry
Cover of the book The Passion Conversation by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Coffee - Philosophy for Everyone by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Designing Matrix Organizations that Actually Work by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Getting a Web Development Job For Dummies by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Security Intelligence by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Selbstmanagement mit Carnegie, Edison, Ford & Co. by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global Excellence by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Pharmaceutical Amorphous Solid Dispersions by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Pregnancy All-In-One For Dummies by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Biogeography by Brian Barry
Cover of the book The Loudest Duck by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Peace by Brian Barry
Cover of the book Professional Hadoop by Brian Barry
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy