Liberal and communitarian multiculturalism: Cases of USA and Canada from the perspective of Kymlicka and Taylor

Although multicultural social structures have existed throughout the history, demands and expectations regarding multiculturalism are new phenomena faced by modern states. Today, few states maintain their homogeneous societal structures. Individuals and groups with different religious, ethnic, linguistic, sexual and cultural identities exist in modern non-homogeneous societies. They want to maintain these differences. In addition, they demand that these differences be respected, recognized and encouraged. In this context, multiculturalism has emerged with the claim of recognizing cultural differences and solving problems arising from differences. Different models are proposed to solve problems arising from differences. Liberal and communitarian approaches are the two sides under the theoretical discussion of multiculturalism. Having important studies on how multiculturalism can have a political reflection Will Kymlicka and Charles Taylor are respectively significant figures of liberal and communitarian multiculturalism. In this study, with its liberal and communitarian versions multiculturalism and Kymlicka's and Taylor's thoughts on multiculturalism are discussed theoretically. The multiculturalism and multicultural policies in the USA and Canada are also analyzed. Keywords: Multiculturalism, Liberalism, Communitarianism, Multicultural Policies, Will Kymlicka, Charles Taylor