INTEGRATION IN THE CONTEXT OF BRITISH MULTICULTURALISM

Abstract

From the 1960s to the late 1990s, issues of immigrants’ integration in Britain involved two major approaches: Race Relations and multiculturalism were a direct response to the overt racism within society because of huge flood of immigrants mostly from the New Commonwealth. However, increasing reproach of multiculturalism since the late 1990s altered the political rhetoric to focus more on civic integration, community cohesion and common citizenship. Although Race Relations and multiculturalism reinforced ethnic group rights and group identity, civic integration and cohesion were destined to stress the prominence of common shared values, feelings of united belonging and individual rights.