A fierce controversy has broken out recently in political and social science circles about the effect of socially mixed and multi-cultural populations on modern society. At the heart of the argument is an article by Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam discussing the impact of diversity and pluralism (ethnic, religious, linguistic, national and cultural pluralism) on American society. Putnam argues, on the basis of his research on the USA, that ethnic and social diversity is likely to reduce social solidarity and social capital, to lower social trust between citizens, to make them less likely to participate in the community and its politics, and to make society less cooperative.
Problems with Diversity Part 11
