The Multicultural Policy Index (MPI)

Multiculturalism and multicultural policies are used by many western democracies to meet the needs of diverse populations resultant from modern trends of globalization and migration. The 1970s saw the rapid movement of peoples, cultures, ideas, and businesses changing the demographic composition of western democracies from a single national culture to rapid and changing national identities (Morgan, 2009). Countries, like Canada, Australia and Germany used multicultural integration policies to ensure citizenship and the right of equal participation of ethnic minorities as active and legitimate decision-makers (see Janoski, 1998). Multiculturalism has multiple meanings: it can be a political philosophy, a public policy instrument and a demographic reality (see Ng & Bloemraad, 2015). As a political philosophy, multiculturalism accords recognition and positive accommodation to diverse groups (see Kymlicka, 1995). As a public policy, multiculturalism is a tool and means to implement policies of inclusion and citizenship (Bloemraad, 2011). As a demographic reality, multiculturalism is a descriptive term for demographic pluralism that exists within nation-states. Regardless of its many meanings, multiculturalism legitimizes the incorporation of minorities into the social structure of a society, community, and/or geographic region. However, the past decade saw increasing debates over and backlashes against multiculturalism in many western democracies, like in Europe and the United States (Bloemraad & Wright, 2014). The “Brexit” vote and the US presidential election of Donald Trump are manifestations of this backlash, which many argue is a retreat from national integration policies (e.g., Tremblay, 2019)