Diversity
“Diversity and difference can be seen as assets to be valued and celebrated- sources of stimulation and enrichment, rather than problems to be solved”- How far do you agree? Using selected theoretical approaches and critical reading, analyse and assess your answer.
The issue of differences and diversity within a society has been of great interest to sociologists. Debates over celebration or integration of religious and ethnic minorities, and the issues raised by LGBT equality movements have become increasingly prominent amongst politicians since the latter half of the twentieth century.
These matters of social equality can be examined through a number of different theoretical approaches. Before a theoretical approach can be selected, it is important to select an angle to examine society from. For the case of this essay, issues of social diversity and differences will be examined on a national and political level, such as the effect of new, culturally different immigrants on an otherwise isolated community. For this, using macro theoretical approaches will be the most useful, most importantly conflict theory and structural functionalism. Through the use of these theoretical approaches and a selection of readings and historical examples as a case study, this essay will analyse and assess whether diversity and difference should be celebrated or be dealt with in a pragmatic manner that would better favour the state. Diversity and difference permeates many parts of society, from political and religious beliefs to economical and ethnic differences. As macro-level theoretical approaches will be used in the writing of this essay, there will be a greater focus on religious and ethnic diversity over economy and political beliefs. Through analysis of these four elements, this essay hopes to support and favour a more pragmatic, integration-based approach to diversity when celebration of differences would be problematic.
Before a detailed analysis can begin, it is
The issue of differences and diversity within a society has been of great interest to sociologists. Debates over celebration or integration of religious and ethnic minorities, and the issues raised by LGBT equality movements have become increasingly prominent amongst politicians since the latter half of the twentieth century.
These matters of social equality can be examined through a number of different theoretical approaches. Before a theoretical approach can be selected, it is important to select an angle to examine society from. For the case of this essay, issues of social diversity and differences will be examined on a national and political level, such as the effect of new, culturally different immigrants on an otherwise isolated community. For this, using macro theoretical approaches will be the most useful, most importantly conflict theory and structural functionalism. Through the use of these theoretical approaches and a selection of readings and historical examples as a case study, this essay will analyse and assess whether diversity and difference should be celebrated or be dealt with in a pragmatic manner that would better favour the state. Diversity and difference permeates many parts of society, from political and religious beliefs to economical and ethnic differences. As macro-level theoretical approaches will be used in the writing of this essay, there will be a greater focus on religious and ethnic diversity over economy and political beliefs. Through analysis of these four elements, this essay hopes to support and favour a more pragmatic, integration-based approach to diversity when celebration of differences would be problematic.
Before a detailed analysis can begin, it is
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