Belonging Multiculturalism, Social Integration and Social Policy

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Belonging?Multiculturalism, Social Integration
and Social Policy

• Keith Banting
• Queens University

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Ethnic Diversity and Integration

• Ethnic diversity and the two policy agendas
• Supporting diversity
• Supporting social integration
• Growing anxiety about social integration
• Flash points of cultural tensions in many
  countries
• Security agenda post 9/11, bombings in
  London/Spain
• Concern about erosion of social solidarity
• Concern about integration of the second
  generation
• Shift in discourse versus program structure

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The Questions

• What are the sources of social integration?
• How does one measure social integration?
• How can we reinforce social integration?
• What is the role of social policy?

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Sources of Integration economic versus social
integration

• Traditional assumption
• Economic integration ? social integration
• Policy focus on economic integration
• Economic integration is necessary but not
  sufficient
• Immigrant minorities second generation
• Search for the sources of social integration

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Sources of Social Integration two approaches

• Who is Us?
• Shared national identity and common values
• Building a single community
• How do we live together?
• Legitimacy of diverse identities and values
• Consensus on the values of liberal democracy
• Engagement in process of collective choice

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Measuring Social Integrationan example from
Canada

• National identity
• Pride in country
• Sense of belonging
• Social values
• Interpersonal trust
• Liberal values / social conservatism
• Engagement/Participation
• Bridging social networks
• Voting

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Figure 1. Pride in Canada
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Figure 2. Sense of Belonging
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Figure 3. Interpersonal Trust
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Figure 4. Support for Gay Marriage
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Figure 5. Support for Women Working Outside the
Home
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Figure 6. Memberships in Bridging Groups
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Figure 7. Electoral Turnout
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Interpersonal Trust and Neighbourhood Diversity
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The Second Generation

• Growing international concern
• Canadian evidence
• Perceived discrimination and vulnerability
• Electoral turnout?

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Reinforcing Social Integration Who is Us?

• Building a National Culture
• Acquisition of common language
• Celebration of national identity and values
• Common interpretation of history
• Emphasis on undivided loyalty
• Instruments
• Immigration policies (language requirements)
• Naturalization policies (citizenship test)
• Education policies (history)
• National symbols (flags)
• Tightening dual citizenship

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Reinforcing Social IntegrationHow Do We Live
Together?

• Shared Citizenship in Diverse Societies
• Legal equality
• Legal guarantees of equality, anti-discrimination
• Political equality
• Engagement in social networks
• Political representation
• Social equality
• Common social benefits
• Social policy as an instrument of integration?

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The New PessimismA Progressives Dilemma?

• Diversity versus redistribution?
• Crowding out
• Corroding trust, social networks and solidarity
• Collateral damage
• Recognition versus redistribution?
• Misdiagnosis
• Multiculturalism polices exacerbate tension

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Foreign-Born Population and Level of Social
Spending
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Change in Foreign-Born Population and Change in
Social Spending, 1980-2000
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MCPs for Immigrants and Change in Social
Spending, 1980-2000
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CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS

• As societies become more diverse, Who is Us?
  needs to be balanced by How do we live
  together?
• Problems of social integration are often
  overstated
• Social policy as a tool of social integration is
  more important as societies become more diverse
• Social policy design needs to be seen through
  the diversity lens.