Multiculturalism is the ethnic and cultural diversity that exists within a certain area. Different countries exhibit various forms of multiculturalism. The most common form of multiculturalism is whereby a citizen of a certain country is born overseas or of the parents of the individual is born overseas. English speaking countries have a lot of multiculturalism in them. Just like the United Kingdom, Australia has adopted multiculturalism as a national identity 2, 3. Our essay explores how Australia appreciates and accepts many different ethnicities and cultures.
The multicultural society in Australia has been shaped by different events. The production of the Snowy Mountain Scheme is one of the events that led to multiculturalism. The phenomenal project brought people of different cultures and races to work together and thus led to the growth and development of multiculturalism. This multiculturalism had a major effect in Australia as provided adequate engineering and scientific knowledge and skills that led to the completion of the scheme. This also led to the recruitment of immigrants from other countries with the skills that were required 1.
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Australia illustrates the ability to utilize and absorb different cultures just like the United Kingdom. In the 1950s, Australia experienced a major multicultural breakthrough. This was through the Gold Rush. A huge number of migrants and immigrants were brought together in Australia. This brought a major challenge as it led to unsettlement in the gold fields 1, 3. This was a good lesson for the Australians as they learnt that people with different cultural backgrounds can stay together.
In Sydney, the development of a multicultural environment has a lot of tension attached to it. This is because of the existence of the need for expansion and the desire to protect from foreign invasion. The consensus that exists among the major political parties that are behind the national security and immigration have developed big anxieties among the citizens. This is because the strict multicultural society has created serious differences 2.
Multiculturalism in Australia has led to the creation of serious social policies. These policies are as a result of the reconciliation process that is initiated between the settlers and indigenous Australians. This has a major aim of harmonizing the living conditions between the two parties to enhance the success in the national processes and agenda. This is a very practical measure to eradicate the conspicuous differences 1.
Australia has been forced to establish measures that improve the absorption of migrants and successfully integrate the society into an environment with diverse cultures and democratic values that exhibit liberal democratic values. These government steps are strategically crucial as they seek to embrace multiculturalism and immigration in Australia just like in the United Kingdom 3.
Cultural diversity has caused adoption changes among states like Australia. The most common model that is viable is assimilation. This has led to the creation of self-determination in Australia. This approach has been widely used as a step towards nation building. Under this approach, people are allowed to follow their traditions and practice them in unlimited forms 1, 2. This provides an easier way to streamline the immigrants to the indigenous Australians after systematically blending themselves to the system.
Multiculturalism is a major part of identity in the issues that concern national identity. This is multiculturalism creates a controversy that is fuelled by the feeling that it is a threat to the political integrity and social cohesion of the state. For these challenges, national identity has been put forward as a long term solution to the challenge. This is because cohesion is seen as an attribute that may not exist in an environment where people speak and read different languages without any united public opinion 2.
The current Australian society, culture and institutions have shown a sense of dynamism than in the old times. This is because the founding fathers did not get the real essence of federation as it was meant to be a good national achievement. This is because they allowed the constitution to propagate racism which had a lot of negativity in multiculturalism, unlike the current society. Just like in the United Kingdom, the Australian society is more tolerant and open to diverse a cultural view which is a big work in progress in promoting multiculturalism 2.
Tolerance and multiculturalism have made the lives of the Australians more comfortable and conducive than ever before. Some deaths and injuries have been experienced though from some undercurrents of racism and intolerance. Other factors that continue to dog multiculturalism include racism, prejudice and social inequality 1, 2. This has caused a big concern in the government as this is very big threat to Australia’s big strides towards achieving full multiculturalism.
Multiculturalism has enabled the Australian society to underline the importance of higher values in life and idealism. This is drawn along the fact that societies based upon narrow thinking minds are incomplete, unjust and imperfect. This is because of desire and demand for perfect social existence of the multicultural society in Australia. This is possible because of sincere dispensation of respect and equality to migrant cultures 1.
In conclusion, Australia is one of the English speaking countries that have successfully attained a multicultural society. This has led to attraction of visitors to the nation who would like to experience multicultural environments 2. This is very positive to the economy as it encourages cultural tourism. Multiculturalism in Australia has contributed to the progress of the whole society like in the United Kingdom.
- John FW. The Quarantined Australian Culture and Modernism. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.1995.
- Richard H, Haese S. The Revolution of the Australian Culture. Melbourne. Penguin Books, 1988.
- Donald W. In Our Own Image: The Story of Australian Art. Pp. 42-43. Melbourne. Cencage Learning. 2002.
