Will Kymlicka’s views on Multicultural Citizenship

Prof. Will Kymlicka has analyzed the issue of citizenship and diversity in his book
‘Multicultural Citizenship: A Liberal Theory of Minority Rights’. In this book he examines
the ethnic and racial diversity of societies and the increasing connection among these
societies with modern forms of transportation and communication. These increased
connections have raised the issues of identity and rights. Here he considers the nature
of the individual and culture; the meaning of freedom, liberty, the good life and the
nature of society as a whole. According to Kymlicka, cultural diversity has become a
central feature, of contemporary society and seems likely to become more so in the
immediate future. Increasing contact among societies as a result of improved
communication and transportation has made for population movement and population
change. Increased diversity in countries like Canada, USA and UK is the result of
changing pattern of immigration. Ethno- cultural conflicts have become the main type of
political violence around the world Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Eastern Europe, Sri Lanka,
Indonesia, Central Asia and Middle East are the burning examples.
In this regard Kymlicka, talks about three types of rights:

(i) Self- government rights- These rights are available in Australia, New Zealand,
North America and Europe where elements of self- government rights to indigenous
people exist. Where such rights have been allowed, it has led to the development of
policies which have contributed to the retention of traditional law and the resilience of
community language, provided a basis for cultural resistance to the dominance of
majority values and practices.

(ii) Poly- ethnic rights- In the age of globalization and international migration,
immigrants tend to argue for their rights. Poly- ethnic rights imply group- specific rights
given to a particular community. They are intended to help ethnic groups and religious
minorities express their cultural particularity. However, unlike self- government rights,
poly- ethnic rights are usually intended to promote integration into the larger society.

(iii) Special representation rights- There is a widespread belief that democracy fails
to reflect the cultural diversity of society. That is why there is a demand for special
representation rights in order to rectify the present democratic process. However, this
should be seen as a temporary measure till we achieve a state where the need for
special representation no longer exists.
Kymlicka distinguishes between two types of ethno- cultural groups (i) national
minorities in multinational states, (ii) ethnic groups in poly- ethnic states. A particular
state may have both of these. Most states have aspects of each, although countries like
Canada, UK are clearer example of countries with at least two national minorities and
many ethnic groups.
National minorities are groups that have some or all of history, community, territory,
language or culture. Examples of these are Switzerland, indigenous people of Canada
and America, French Canadians, Wales, Scots, etc. Kymlicka defines national minorities
in terms of culture and argues that if these minorities wish to return to their culture,
they should be recognized as distinct. The group rights that may be associated with
national minorities are self- government rights or special representation rights. These
are not temporary rights but are rights that should be recognized on a permanent basis
because these are inherent rights of the national minority.
In contrast to the rights of national minorities, according to Kymlicka, immigrants groups
are general ethnic groups and can be accorded what he calls ‘poly- ethnic rights in a
multinational state. It is because immigration is voluntary and the immigrants generally
wish to integrate into the society and culture they enter. At the same time they may
wish to retain some aspects of their culture and retention these is especially important
to them. Among the rights that Kymlicka argues could be given to these ethnic groups
are policies related to ending racism and spreading education, some types of affirmative
action, exception from some rules that violate religious practices and public funding of
cultural practices.
In the context of citizenship, Kymlicka believes that the national minorities and ethnic
groups must be given these rights because of the importance of culture to the individual
and groups.