Multiculturalism and England's Muslim minority : solution or problem?

Abstract

The United Kingdom, along with other European states, is facing a crisis brought on by rapid demographic changes and failed integration efforts. While the United Kingdom takes great pride in its past multicultural policies, it finds itself increasingly estranged from its Muslim minority community while seeing a notable rise in the growth of radicalism. The assumption that its multicultural policies were working was challenged by the 2005 subway bombings. The United Kingdom is now attempting to develop a new policy framework. The question posed in the thesis title is hard to answer. Based on all the evidence, multiculturalism as it was applied appears to have been a large part of the problem. A differentiated citizenship approach in the public realm does not appear to be a viable strategy based on past results. But, a new form of multiculturalism that allows for differentiated citizenship in the private sphere while actively attempting to foster a shared public culture appears to have a much higher chance of success. There is not a single definitive answer to the challenges facing the United Kingdom but, based on the analysis of current evidence, a new form of multiculturalism that attempts to produce a shared public culture offers England the best hope of success.