Towards a new way of interacting? Pondering the role of an interpersonal ethos

Abstract Both multiculturalism and interculturalism strive for the creation of a well-ordered society in which the integration of all citizens is realized. This shared ambition, however, can only be realized if the quality of the social relationships is deeply considered. By proposing the concept of 'interpersonal ethos' it is explained why and how the way ordinary people socially interact across ethnocultural and religious diversity shapes the stability, success and fairness of a super diverse society

The Liberal-Communitarian Debate – A Lacanian Analysis of the (Un)encumbered Self

Communitarians and liberals have long held vigorous discussions about the status of the self. The former argue that we do not actively choose our ends, but that they come to the fore through self-discovery. This implies that the self is encumbered and that the liberal self”one capable of choosing his ends”is unrealistic. In this article, we consider these two paradigms and especially Will Kymlicka's position within this debate. Kymlicka defends a liberal theory without relying on an unencumbered self, and may therefore have rescued liberalism from communitarian attacks. In the first part of our article, we argue that Kymlicka's theory can only be sustained if it involves an unencumbered self that is prior to its ends. Ultimately, this means that the communitarian critique on liberalism can no longer be refuted. In order to support our argument, we introduce a distinction between the metaphysical depiction of the self as an unencumbered chooser and the psychological depiction of the self, which draws upon people's understanding of themselves as being constitutively bound to certain ends. In the second part of our article, we invoke Jacques Lacan's psychoanalytical theory in order to assert that neither communitarians nor liberals are entirely able to explain what is at stake when individuals describe being bound to ‘extimate ends'”ends they feel they did not choose, yet cannot relinquish. Although both philosophical paradigms cannot fully account for the ‘extimate subject', in the policies they respectively defend, liberalism is the one that should be preferred

Introduction: mapping the multiculturalism-interculturalism debate

Abstract Since the 1970s multiculturalist policies that recognize and accommodate ethnocultural diversity have been implemented across western democracies. However, the tide seems to have changed: a ‘backlash against multiculturalism’ has been occurring since the 1990s. While it remains unclear whether this backlash is a matter of rhetoric or if there is indeed a wholesale retreat from multiculturalism, several scholars, politicians and journalists have invoked a pervasive narrative of the rise/advance and fall/retreat of multiculturalism. ‘Interculturalism’ has been introduced as a remedy, being allegedly well-suited to address some of the shortcomings of the multicultural approach. In this introduction to the Special Issue, which is about the key texts of Tariq Modood and Ricard Zapata Barrero, we present and question the nexus between the two terms. How has the ‘multiculturalism-interculturalism’ debate been held so far

Key problems in primary health care – Qualitative research on prevention amongst physicians working in a superdiverse context

As Flanders deals with an increasing number of habitants, its demographic constellation has also become more diverse. Within the Flemish context, the situation of the Greater Antwerp area remains unique as the share of people of foreign origin is currently substantially higher and growing more rapidly compared to the rest of Flanders. Given the significant health differences between the native population and the ethno-cultural minority groups, a culturally competent health care is of high importance. A particular area of concern is preventive health care, as it concerns the first step to detect and overcome health problems. In this chapter, the perceptions of physicians working in the Greater Antwerp area are examined. By means of qualitative research (semi-structured interviews), we could identify three general problems: (1) time constraints for physicians, (2) financial difficulties of the patients and (3) the payment arrangement in which physicians operate. Two additional difficulties were identified as specific to ethno-cultural minorities: (1) cultural differences and ideas about health and (2) the increasing linguistic diversity. Based on these findings, we formulate some strategies in order to enhance the Flemish (primary) health care system.status: publishe

De Vlaamse Integratiekaart Deel II. Exploratieve literatuurstudie van het concept integratie

nrpages: 54status: publishe