Introduction: mapping the multiculturalism-interculturalism debate.

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Political Science
• Cultural Studies

Background:

• Multiculturalist policies acknowledging ethnocultural diversity were common in Western democracies from the 1970s.
• A significant backlash against multiculturalism emerged in the 1990s, questioning its efficacy and leading to a narrative of its decline.

Discussion:

• The Special Issue critically examines the relationship between multiculturalism and interculturalism, exploring the ongoing debate.
• Interculturalism is presented as a potential successor or alternative to multiculturalism, aiming to address its perceived shortcomings.

Key Insights:

• The debate questions whether the retreat from multiculturalism is rhetorical or a substantial policy shift.
• Scholars, politicians, and media have framed a narrative of multiculturalism's rise and fall.
• The introduction probes the core arguments and texts by Tariq Modood and Ricard Zapata Barrero.

Outlook:

• Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of the multiculturalism-interculturalism debate.
• Assessing the practical impact of interculturalism versus multiculturalism in contemporary societies remains crucial.