MULTICULTURALISM IN BRITAIN A MYTH OR A REALITY:

Abstract

Multiculturalism is and has always been a highly contested issue. In fact, the end of the previous century saw the remarkable rise of multiculturalism as a political philosophy, and the growing popularity of multicultural policies in many democratic countries. However, since the turn of the millennium multiculturalism has become a subject of intense political and public debate in Western Europe and particularly in Britain. This thesis explores key questions related to multiculturalism namely race, racism and belonging while critically assessing multiculturalism from the standpoint of political philosophy and political practice. The ideas of prominent defenders and critics of multiculturalism are evaluated, and debates around multiculturalism and subsequent debates over immigration, cultural rights and Britishness are explored