The plurality of different cultures throughout the world and their relationship with one another is one of the most pervasive features of contemporary life. What is multiculturalism and what are the different theories used to justify it? Is multiculturalism compatible with citizenship? Can liberal democracies accommodate minority groups? In this...   more 籧lear introduction to the subject, Ayelet Shachar explores these questions and critically assesses multiculturalism from the standpoint of political philosophy and political theory. The first part of the book explores the origins and contemporary usage of the concept of multiculturalism in the context of debates about modernity, rights and citizenship. The ideas of key theorists of multiculturalism, including Charles Taylor and Iris Young, are also clearly explained. The second part of the book evaluates the different critiques of multiculturalism, particularly the internal, external and institutional critiques, and considers the work of key critics of multiculturalism. Ayelet Shachar also surveys the legal practices and policies enacted to accommodate multiculturalism, drawing on examples such as Australia, Canada and the United States. Multiculturalism: A Critical Introduction is an ideal starting point for anyone coming to the topic for the first time as well as those already familiar with some of the key issues.   ?less