Cultural diversity and the rights of minorities in Europe

Abstract

Cultural diversity is a prominent feature of our globalised world and has been the object of much celebration over the past decade. However, intra-State diversity is perceived by many – in Europe, as in other Western countries – as a problem, a source of social divisions and tensions, a challenge to the unity and authority of the legal system, and a liability to the territorial integrity of the State. European countries have responded in many different ways to the “problem” of cultural diversity, according to their history and specific social makeup, but their responses can be summed up into two main approaches – assimilationism and multiculturalism. While multiculturalism has been blamed for many of the bad things that have happened in Europe in the last decade, it is still the best answer to the question of how democratic States, founded on the rule of law and respect for human rights, are to deal with the cultural diversity of their societies. One of its main aspects – the protection of cultural minorities – is, however, still a work in progress throughout Europe.