On the Other Hand
Canadian Multiculturalism and Its Progressive Critics
Published on 12. April 2024
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-4875-5272-5 (ISBN)
Description
For many, Canadian multiculturalism represents the hope that we can build a society in which people who have come from all corners of the world can fully participate without first subverting or erasing their unique identities. Many progressive critics, however, dismiss this hope as an illusion that serves to mask ongoing racism and inequality. Foregrounding the capitalist nature of the Canadian state and society, On the Other Hand examines the arguments of a range of progressive critics of Canadian multiculturalism.
An exercise in "critical listening," the book aims to both communicate and assess these progressive critiques. It proposes conditions for the intelligibility of social science analysis in general and reflects on the requirements for effective progressive thought and writing. Grounded in a political economy approach, the book argues that capitalism and the capitalist nature of the state must be integrated into our analysis of multiculturalism, immigration policy, and persistent racism.
On the Other Hand reveals how progressive critiques can identify real limits of multiculturalism: limits of which we must be aware if we are either to endorse them or seek to transcend them.
An exercise in "critical listening," the book aims to both communicate and assess these progressive critiques. It proposes conditions for the intelligibility of social science analysis in general and reflects on the requirements for effective progressive thought and writing. Grounded in a political economy approach, the book argues that capitalism and the capitalist nature of the state must be integrated into our analysis of multiculturalism, immigration policy, and persistent racism.
On the Other Hand reveals how progressive critiques can identify real limits of multiculturalism: limits of which we must be aware if we are either to endorse them or seek to transcend them.
Reviews / Votes
"With lucid and logical writing, Ryan has made a persuasive contribution to the ongoing debate about multiculturalism in Canada. And his case for clear, credible, and coherent augmentation should be required reading for anyone who wants to weigh in on important issues in our society. On the Other Hand exemplifies the circumspect, thoughtful approach our discussions need." -- Andrew Torry, <i>Literary Review of Canada</i>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
540 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4875-5272-5 (9781487552725)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Phil Ryan is an associate professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University.
Content
1. Introduction
Part I: Setting the Stage
2. Signs of the times: A very brief overview
2.1 Age of rage?
2.2 A Canadian exception?
2.3 Persistent challenges: Racism and discrimination in Canada
2.4 Conclusion
3. Four concepts
3.1 The state
3.2 Policy
3.3 Culture
3.4 Multiculturalism
3.5 Summary: Concepts and the traps of language
Part II: On the Writing of the Progressive Critics
4. Some mysterious claims in the writing of progressive critics
5. Other features in the writing of progressive critics
5.1 The homogenous ethnic majority
5.2 Policy and society
5.3 Dialectical and undialectical analysis
5.4 Alternatives?
5.5 Reflections on possible political effects
Part III: Past and Present
6. Why multiculturalism?
6.1 Multiculturalism: A "simple story"
6.2 A critical progressive story
6.3 Assessing the critical progressive story
6.4 A white supremacy state?
6.5 Multiculturalism and the capitalist state: An alternative story
6.6 Just-so stories?
7. Multiculturalism within a bilingual framework?
7.1 Contemporary arguments and debates
7.2 The B.&B. Commission response and its contradictions
7.3 Justifications
7.4 Conclusion
Part IV: Yes, But...
8. On tolerance (and other "gross concepts")
8.1 Critiques of tolerance
8.2 The concept of tolerance
8.3 Response to critiques
8.4 Conclusion
9. Multiculturalism as psychic prop
9.1 Introduction: Material and ideal interests
9.2 An assortment of claims
9.3 Us, them, and others
9.4 Parliamentary multiculturalism discourse
9.5 Conclusion
10. Of masks, nations, and nationalism
10.1 On masks and ideology
10.2 Of nations and national pride
10.3 Concluding thoughts
11. Conclusion
11.1 Society and our attempts to understand it
11.2 On progressive thought and writing
11.3 Multiculturalism: Concluding thoughts
Notes
Works Cited
Part I: Setting the Stage
2. Signs of the times: A very brief overview
2.1 Age of rage?
2.2 A Canadian exception?
2.3 Persistent challenges: Racism and discrimination in Canada
2.4 Conclusion
3. Four concepts
3.1 The state
3.2 Policy
3.3 Culture
3.4 Multiculturalism
3.5 Summary: Concepts and the traps of language
Part II: On the Writing of the Progressive Critics
4. Some mysterious claims in the writing of progressive critics
5. Other features in the writing of progressive critics
5.1 The homogenous ethnic majority
5.2 Policy and society
5.3 Dialectical and undialectical analysis
5.4 Alternatives?
5.5 Reflections on possible political effects
Part III: Past and Present
6. Why multiculturalism?
6.1 Multiculturalism: A "simple story"
6.2 A critical progressive story
6.3 Assessing the critical progressive story
6.4 A white supremacy state?
6.5 Multiculturalism and the capitalist state: An alternative story
6.6 Just-so stories?
7. Multiculturalism within a bilingual framework?
7.1 Contemporary arguments and debates
7.2 The B.&B. Commission response and its contradictions
7.3 Justifications
7.4 Conclusion
Part IV: Yes, But...
8. On tolerance (and other "gross concepts")
8.1 Critiques of tolerance
8.2 The concept of tolerance
8.3 Response to critiques
8.4 Conclusion
9. Multiculturalism as psychic prop
9.1 Introduction: Material and ideal interests
9.2 An assortment of claims
9.3 Us, them, and others
9.4 Parliamentary multiculturalism discourse
9.5 Conclusion
10. Of masks, nations, and nationalism
10.1 On masks and ideology
10.2 Of nations and national pride
10.3 Concluding thoughts
11. Conclusion
11.1 Society and our attempts to understand it
11.2 On progressive thought and writing
11.3 Multiculturalism: Concluding thoughts
Notes
Works Cited