Euston Manifesto Conference - Multiculturalism and Democracy

The second speaker in last week’s conference was Shalom Lapping (Kings College London). Shalom started off making a point that in this country, multiculturalism does not usually refer to Scots, Irish or the Welsh unlike in Canada, instead it’s used to refer to immigration and religion. There are two main attacks on multiculturalism. On the Right, it is seen as a failure of (Muslim) immigrants to integrate themselves into the host society which results in a breakdown of social cohesion. This results in separatism and ends in jihad. e.g. Melanie Phillips (Daily Hate). While on the left “communalism” politics breaks down social cohesion e.g. faith based schools. While some on the extreme left support it as some sort of “weapon in the anti-imperialistic struggle” to overcome western values.

Shalom believes that there has been confusion about cultural views and political values. Religion may cause cultural separation but if you look at examples across the world this doesn’t necessary mean violence or terrorism. For example, the Amish in USA are very radical cultural separatists yet are usually thought to be a benign and positive force. As are orthodox Jews etc. So any “problem” about “Islamism” is not necessary religious. Also, in the USA 53% of immigrants are from Latin America. None of the (many) debates about this immigration is concerned with political extremism. While in the UK many recent immigrants have been Muslims but in the future it is likely to be Catholic or Orthodox East Europeans. Radical “Islamism” in this country is also usually supported by “first generation” Muslims born in this country (July 7 murders) who are by definition not immigrants. Therefore it is not a problem of immigration as such. Radical Islamism is a political problem, it is an extremist totalitarian movement that not only does not want to live alongside other but wants to force itself on societies. That is the crucial difference.

Shalom says “Don’t confuse the arguments” Cultural difference is not a concession to immigrants it is a “fundamental part of democracy". Opposing the Muslim brotherhood is not racism or “Islamophobia”. We must respect and celebrate cultural differences. Islamic terrorists like all terrorists, take advantage of economic poverty and deprivation. To tackle terrorism you must pursue progressive democratic economic policies. Get rid of the poverty and you will get rid of the terrorists.

(grayee) I hope that I haven’t too much mangled Shalom’s arguments. I thought it was a magnificent defence of multiculturalism and democracy. Some of his arguments I felt went a bit too far such as supporting the Amish constitutional right to withdraw their kids from secondary school education. However, I am convinced that home grown terrorism in this country is rooted in political extremism and it is the extremism and its causes that must be tackled.

Next post will be on big bad Fred Halliday "Solidarities Simple and Complex"