Eilert Sundt lecture 2001

Racism and the future of Multiculturalism in Europe

Professor Bhikhu C. Parekh,
Department of Politics and International Relations,
The University of Hull, UK

Friday 26th October, 12.15 - 14,
Auditorium 1, Eilert Sundts hus


Three closely related issues will be explored. First, since multiculturalism is defined in several contradictory and confusing ways, the expression "multiculturalism" will be a coherent meaning. Multiculturalism is basically a response to cultural diversity, and maintains that every culture represents a limited vision of the good life and benefits from a dialogue with others. Multiculturalism takes cultural identities to be fluid, open, contextual, relational and interactive.

Secondly, an exploration of the relation between multiculturalism and racism will be given. Multiculturalism can easily become a shallow celebration of cultural diversity and ignore the reality and constraints of racism. A tentative definition of the highly ambiguous concept of racism will be given, and a demonstration of the complex ways in which racism can emasculate the radical potential of multiculturalism will be shown.

Thirdly, multicultural societies are not easy to manage. Every country in Europe has experienced difficulties, and Britain has recently witnessed six riots in three months. The problems faced by multicultural societies will be analysed, and how one can both cherish diversity and achieve political integration will be explored.


The lecture was followed by a debate with the following participants: