The end of multiculturalism

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | February 26, 2008 | Lawrence E. Harrison

[neverdem]

The US must be a melting pot – not a salad bowl.

Future generations may look back on Iraq and immigration as the two great disasters of the Bush presidency. Ironically, for a conservative administration, both of these policy initiatives were rooted in a multicultural view of the world.

Since the 1960s, multiculturalism has become a dominant feature of the political and intellectual landscape of the West. But multiculturalism rests on a frail foundation: cultural relativism, the notion that no culture is better or worse than any other – it is merely different.

When it comes to democratic continuity, social justice, and prosperity, some cultures do far better than others. Research at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, summarized in my recent book, "The Central Liberal Truth: How Politics Can Change a Culture and Save It From Itself," makes this clear.

Extensive data suggest that the champions of progress are the Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden – where, for example, universal literacy was a substantial reality in the 19th century. By contrast, no Arab country today is democratic, and female illiteracy in some Arab countries exceeds 50 percent.

Culture isn't about genes or race; it's about values, beliefs, and attitudes. Culture matters because it influences a society's receptivity to democracy, justice, entrepreneurship, and free-market institutions.

What, then, are the implications for a foreign policy based on the doctrine that "These values of freedom are right and true for every person, in every society"? The Bush administration has staked huge human, financial, diplomatic, and prestige resources on this doctrine's applicability in Iraq. It is now apparent that the doctrine is fallacious...

[Lizavetta]

Multiculturalism was designed to neuter the will of America to fight back when the invasion from Mexico and the terrorism from the Middle East arrived on our doorstep.

And it has worked. People would rather poke pins in their eyeballs than be thought of and/or called a 'racist'.

[Revolting cat!]

Oh,so we are to ignore the comments on Iraq because we’re all Bushbots now? What, Iraq is a “great success of the Bush presidency”? NO, the article, in its entirety is right on target! No,one except Bushbots think of Iraq as a success. Not even William F. Buckley (RIP.) Biut you’re right, the essence of the article rests elsewhere, and it is quite bold and un-PC to be printed in the CSM. Immigration affects the culture. Well, D’uh, dude!

[neverdem]

Oh,so we are to ignore the comments on Iraq because we’re all Bushbots now? What, Iraq is a “great success of the Bush presidency”? NO, the article, in its entirety is right on target! No,one except Bushbots think of Iraq as a success.

The errors of the relatively unprepared "Phase 4" of Operation Iraqi Freedom distract from the argument against multiculturalism. They had a plan for "Phase 4", but when everything didn't go as planned, they didn't have a plan B. After that it was just play it by ear and hope for the best until the reality of the Nov. 06 elections. It kind of reminds me of when Billary didn't sweep super Tuesday. They had no plan B. They didn't prepare for the caucuses, etc.

What's to be learned from Iraq is in the new Army/Marine counterinsurgency manual and just what happened in our government's branches as well as Iraq and Afghanistan.