Rethinking Multiculturalism: Cultural Diversity and Political Theory - Softcover

Bhikhu Parekh's Rethinking Multiculturalism is a very rich book...One of the things which makes the book so valuable is that it is written by a political theorist who has had hands-on experience of the problems involved, and in more than one country. Its author has a lively sense of the immense range of situations, and the variety of problems, tensions and conflicts. -- Charles Taylor Times Literary Supplement Reading Parekh, one is always led to think freshly about the matter at hand and to consider questions that had not been visible before. All of these virtues are on display here, but this book goes even further. It achieves a level of theoretical coherence and a depth of insight that is rare and impressive. This is a wonderful book. It will challenge, stimulate, and enrich all those who encounter it. -- Joseph H. Carens International Migration Review Parekh offers much that is fresh and original both in his critical review of political philosophers on cultural pluralism, and in his account of culture, human value, and the meaning of justice and equality in a multicultural society...Parekh's style and tone exemplifies the dialogic attitude whose importance he also theorizes substantively in the book. -- Irish Marion Young Ethnicities Brilliantly argued, rigorous, acute in its theoretical insights and persuasive in its practical suggestions...Bhikhu Parekh has produced something very important here. Rethinking Multiculturalism is sophisticated but also accessible; it really does force the most skeptical to "rethink" a wide range of issues. -- Stephen Howe Independent [Rethinking Multiculturalism is an] ambitious, engaging, and provocative analysis of the opportunities and challenges contemporary multiculturalism presents at the outset of the 21st century [Bhiku Parekh offers] a nuanced examination of human nature, of cultural diversity, of the essence and structure of culture, of the importance for, and nature of, cross-cultural interaction, and of the reason why cultural diversity should not merely be accepted and accommodated, but appreciated as a positive value to be cherished and fostered. To accomplish this task requires, as Parekh repeatedly reminds his readers, an open and equal dialogue between mutually respectful cultural communities and the ability of the state or polity to reconcile the demands of political unity and cultural diversity. -- Richard Connors Journal of International Migration and Integration

Bhikhu Parekh is Professor of Political Theory at the University of Hull. He is chair of the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain.