Common Citizenship in a Multicultural Society

A common sense of belonging among the component cultural communities that make up a multicultural society is essential for its stability and unity. Four conditions are necessary for that sense to be present: constitutional accommodation of diversity, justice, a multiculturally constituted common culture, and a shared sense of loyalty to the political community. Every multicultural society has increasingly felt compelled to move towards enactment of a statement of fundamental rights to protect the interests of minorities. A multiculturally constituted common culture is likely to develop where both private and public realms create propitious conditions. The spirit of multiculturality flows freely in all areas of life in such a way that differences are not only unthreatening but form the background and basis of national identity.