Like Snow in the Sun. The German Minority in Denmark in Historical Perspective

Abstract

Avigail Eisenberg argues that, in Canada, multiculturalism presents important obstacles to decolonization. Furthermore, Amanda Gouws presents the difficulties in applying the concept of multiculturalism to postcolonial societies in her discussion of South Africa. The book has a global reach but dedicates less attention to some interesting cases. The extensive coverage of the Canadian case is self-evident and provides a useful point of reference for the various discussions in the book. Other parts of the Americas are relatively little discussed. The chapter on language policies in the United States uses a multitude of quotations, which are hard to contextualize and might not be accessible for a global readership. In addition, the significance of multicultural politics in Latin America is mentioned only in passing in the book. Yet, the chapter by Debra Thompson on Black Lives Matter convincingly provides evidence to the claim that multiculturalism has proven wholly insufficient to challenge persistent racial inequality in democratic societies. The chapters also include well-written introductions on rights of minorities in the European Union by Dolores Morondo Taramundi and anti-multiculturalism in contemporary Hungary by Zsolt K€ ortv elyesi. The book also covers the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on diverse societies: Anna Triandafyllidou discusses whether the pandemic emergency can lead to both policy and analytical innovation in matters of membership and citizenship, and Tim Soutphommasane questions the durability of Australian multiculturalism during the pandemic. The editors, Yasmeen Abu-Laban, Alain-G Gagnon, and Arjun Tremblay, provide useful introductory and concluding chapters that tie the book together: They outline multiculturalism’s contemporary challenges and possible futures, framing the book’s overall engagement with multiculturalism’s promise and limitations. However, the emphasis on the shortcomings of multiculturalism and the need for other approaches somewhat hides the significant contribution of the Canadian experience of multiculturalism both to international discussions and to global recognition of minority rights. Yet, a critical debate on multiculturalism is necessary, and the book provides a relevant overview of critical debates on diversity politics. This valuable collection of chapters will be of great interest for anyone involved in contemporary debates on diversity politics and will serve as a key publication for anyone with an interest in the trajectory and future of multiculturalism.