Monoculturalism is the policy or process of supporting, advocating, or allowing the expression of the culture of a single social or ethnic group. It generally stems from beliefs within the dominant group that their cultural practices are superior to those of minority groups and is often related to the concept of ethnocentrism, which involves judging another culture based on the values and standards of one's own culture, though this is usually untrue if cultural nationalism is dominant, as opposed to ethno-nationalism. It may also involve the process of assimilation whereby other ethnic groups are expected to adopt the culture and practices of the dominant ethnic group. Monoculturalism, in the context of cultural diversity, is the opposite of multiculturalism.
Rather than the suppression of different ethnic groups within a given society, sometimes monoculturalism manifests as the active preservation of a country's national culture via the exclusion of external influences. Japan, South Korea, and North Korea are examples of this form of monoculturalism. However it may also be the result of less intentional factors such as geographic isolation, historical racial homogeneity, or political isolation. [dubious – discuss]
Ethnocentric monoculturalism
Monoculturalism is often closely associated with ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is the practice of framing one's way of life as natural and valid, and applying that belief system to interpret the characteristics of other cultures.
Instances
In genocide
Many of the genocides practiced throughout history were based on ethnic supremacy. Ethnic supremacy is assumed by one group within a culture, following some distinct action by an external group or from one of the ethnic groups. With European intervention in places like Rwanda, social institutions worked to socially construct an ethnic inferiority, distinguishing the Hutus and Tutsis from one another and causing what would be one of the most horrific demonstrations of genocide in modern history.
A similar example to that of the Rwandan genocide was the ongoing civil war in Burma. The civil war spanned from a constitution that granted Burma their independence from the British Empire in which a group of leaders created conditions that didn't involve many of Burma's Ethnic Minorities, and instigated a fight from them. Many of these ethnic minorities in Burma, including the Karen, have been significantly displaced by the military junta and placed into refugee camps in bordering nations. The remaining ethnic minorities have been living in poor conditions, and have been met by a variety of human rights abuses.[citation needed]
Globalization
Globalization involves the free movement of goods, capital, services, people, technology and information throughout the world. It also involves the international integration of potentially very different countries through the adoption of the same or similar world views, ideologies, and other aspects of culture. Marsella argues that this is monoculturalism on a grand scale. Potentially it could lead to the suppression and loss of different ethnic cultures on a global scale.[citation needed]
See also
- Criticism of multiculturalism
- Cultural diversity
- Cultural homogenization
- Monoethnicity
References
- Monoculturalism, online Oxford dictionary
- Jackson, Y. Encyclopedia of Multicultural Psychology, p. 203
- Ethnocentrism, Ken Barger
- [1], A revealing map of the world’s most and least ethnically diverse countries, Fisher
- Jennifer F. Taylor. Ethnocentric Monoculturalism, Encyclopedia of Multicultural Psychology
- White, Kenneth R. "Scourge of Racism: Genocide in Rwanda". Journal of Black Studies. Vol. 39, No. 3 (Jan., 2009), pp. 471-472.
- "Tracking Genocide: Persecution of the Karen in Burma". Texas international law journal. Volume: 48 Issue: 1 Page: 63 10/01/2012.
- Marsella, Anthony (2005). ""Hegemonic" Globalization and Cultural Diversity: The Risks of Global Monoculturalism" (PDF). Australian Mosaic. Issue 11 Number 13: 15–16.
Further reading
- Tambini, Damian (1996). "Explaining monoculturalism: Beyond Gellner's theory of nationalism". Critical Review: A Journal of Politics and Society. 10 (2): 251–270. doi:10.1080/08913819608443420.
- Conversi, Daniele (2008). "Democracy, Nationalism and Culture: A Social Critique of Liberal Monoculturalism". Sociology Compass. 2 (1): 156–182. doi:10.1111/j.1751-9020.2007.00063.x.
Monoculturalism is the policy or process of supporting advocating or allowing the expression of the culture of a single social or ethnic group It generally stems from beliefs within the dominant group that their cultural practices are superior to those of minority groups and is often related to the concept of ethnocentrism which involves judging another culture based on the values and standards of one s own culture though this is usually untrue if cultural nationalism is dominant as opposed to ethno nationalism It may also involve the process of assimilation whereby other ethnic groups are expected to adopt the culture and practices of the dominant ethnic group Monoculturalism in the context of cultural diversity is the opposite of multiculturalism Rather than the suppression of different ethnic groups within a given society sometimes monoculturalism manifests as the active preservation of a country s national culture via the exclusion of external influences Japan South Korea and North Korea are examples of this form of monoculturalism However it may also be the result of less intentional factors such as geographic isolation historical racial homogeneity or political isolation dubious discuss Ethnocentric monoculturalismMonoculturalism is often closely associated with ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism is the practice of framing one s way of life as natural and valid and applying that belief system to interpret the characteristics of other cultures InstancesIn genocide Many of the genocides practiced throughout history were based on ethnic supremacy Ethnic supremacy is assumed by one group within a culture following some distinct action by an external group or from one of the ethnic groups With European intervention in places like Rwanda social institutions worked to socially construct an ethnic inferiority distinguishing the Hutus and Tutsis from one another and causing what would be one of the most horrific demonstrations of genocide in modern history A similar example to that of the Rwandan genocide was the ongoing civil war in Burma The civil war spanned from a constitution that granted Burma their independence from the British Empire in which a group of leaders created conditions that didn t involve many of Burma s Ethnic Minorities and instigated a fight from them Many of these ethnic minorities in Burma including the Karen have been significantly displaced by the military junta and placed into refugee camps in bordering nations The remaining ethnic minorities have been living in poor conditions and have been met by a variety of human rights abuses citation needed Globalization Globalization involves the free movement of goods capital services people technology and information throughout the world It also involves the international integration of potentially very different countries through the adoption of the same or similar world views ideologies and other aspects of culture Marsella argues that this is monoculturalism on a grand scale Potentially it could lead to the suppression and loss of different ethnic cultures on a global scale citation needed See alsoCriticism of multiculturalism Cultural diversity Cultural homogenization MonoethnicityReferencesMonoculturalism online Oxford dictionary Jackson Y Encyclopedia of Multicultural Psychology p 203 Ethnocentrism Ken Barger 1 A revealing map of the world s most and least ethnically diverse countries Fisher Jennifer F Taylor Ethnocentric Monoculturalism Encyclopedia of Multicultural Psychology White Kenneth R Scourge of Racism Genocide in Rwanda Journal of Black Studies Vol 39 No 3 Jan 2009 pp 471 472 Tracking Genocide Persecution of the Karen in Burma Texas international law journal Volume 48 Issue 1 Page 63 10 01 2012 Marsella Anthony 2005 Hegemonic Globalization and Cultural Diversity The Risks of Global Monoculturalism PDF Australian Mosaic Issue 11 Number 13 15 16 Further readingTambini Damian 1996 Explaining monoculturalism Beyond Gellner s theory of nationalism Critical Review A Journal of Politics and Society 10 2 251 270 doi 10 1080 08913819608443420 Conversi Daniele 2008 Democracy Nationalism and Culture A Social Critique of Liberal Monoculturalism Sociology Compass 2 1 156 182 doi 10 1111 j 1751 9020 2007 00063 x
