What's the difference between multiculturalism and integration?

Question

I ask becuase I keep seeing 'multicultralism' being looked at in a negative attitude (perhaps caused by the immigration problem?) as though it's a bad thing that should never happen.

So what exactly is the difference between integration and multicultralism? aren't they in theory the same thing? I mean the US, UK, and other Western nations are already pretty much integrated societies are they not?

So what's the difference? any help or information would be appreciated. Thanks :)

Answer 1

Integration happens when people take the best of their culture and blend it into the culture of others often referred to as the melting pot. Multiculturalism is where people refuse to adopt any of the culture of the host country instead expecting that they can just live as they did in their own country...whether it works or not. See selfish in the dictionary.

Answer 2

Multiculturalism Vs Integration

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Multiculturalism is a statement of fact, many different people from different cultural backgounds. Not quite as broad a term as diversity, which also includes other marginalised groups like disabled people, senior citizens and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and people with different faith beliefs. Integration is what happens when these group merge into one where difference is respected and valued.

Integration can also have negative connotations 'Why don't they integrate?', meaning 'they' the other should adopt all our ways and customs. Cultural anthropologists generally agree that it takes about three generations for a new group to integrate into a new environment. Often the first migrants will experience great culture shock and retreat back to an idealised stronger culture of the one they left behind. a second generation might typically react against this, before the third generation will truly integrate, marrying outside the cultural group and living/celebrating the best values and traditions of both groups ... that's integration.

Hope that helps. A dictionary or thesaurus may give other synonyms (words like) that may help.

Answer 5

Integration means that everyone more or less adopts the same culture. Multiculturalism is where you allow and celebrate different cultures.

For example, the United States has had more of a history as a 'melting pot' (integration) whereas Canada is better described as a cultural 'mosiac' (multicultural). Each have benefits and drawbacks.

Answer 6

Integration means Immigrant's conform to the existing population.This is an easier system on the existing population,but tends to leave the people ignorant to other cultures.
Multiculturalism is Immigrants are aloud to keep there own culture.Multiculturalism is a better system because it makes the countries population more informed about different cultures,But is more difficult because it`s a constant threat to the original culture in that country.Canada is a multicultural country and we are having a debate on reasonable accommodation.Everybody is all for immigrants keeping there own culture until it effects them directly.

Answer 7

First, i want to applaud your question.

I can not add anything to many of the other answers that make the important distinction.

The multicultural approach seems much better than government sanctions that attempt to force the issue as in the USA. People hate being forced into a "melting pot," like the Yanks seem to demand of their citizens. That approach is a breeding ground for conflict and hatred. No, pluralism is better. Either pluralism or halt immigration. The overwhelming majority of Yanks hate this politically correct notion of a "melting pot." The vast majority of ordinary UK citizens hate the present immigration policy but Brown keeps signing treaties opposing popular opinion. He must hurry before he is tossed!

Answer 8

Multi-culturalism is having all the worlds cultures, all un-changed, living in one area, under one government vs across the globe in their typical countries.

Integration is allowing some of those cultural practices stay, yet find a common bond to be able to work together.

In America our 1 binding thing was the language.

Otherwise the only benefit to mulit-culturalism is you don't have to travel the world to experience the different cultures. The down side are too many to mention and causes more division than cooperation.

Answer 9

Multicultralism = People of all different cultures.

Intergration = Socialising with each other.

Answer 10

Multicultural ism is a name that describes the existence of the Many Cultures. Integration describes the act of these cultures working with understanding together.