프랑스의 ‘상호문화주의’에 대한 소고

Abstract

Multiculturalism, not an ideology but a doctrine, is a policy finding a way to harmonize different languages and cultures peacefully. This paper attempts to provide information about the philosophical and historical background of French Intercultural activities and the actual situation of France as a reference. France is a country where they have much pride in itself due to its tolerance on multiple cultures and languages. This feature has been deeply-rooted by colonization history and the system of accepting political exiles. France does not adopt a multicultural policy like the U.S. or Canada. They refuse to embrace North American’s ‘Positive Discrimination’, grouping minorities, expressing their cultural gap from the place where they live and protecting their own rights in the eyes of law. If a government gives privilege because of minorities’ disadvantage, almost all communities will insist on having their own benefits and cause a conflict among them, which can result in the chaos of a whole country. The rights of minorities must be respected until the freedom and equality of individuals are not infringed. For this reason, the better ways to preserve them are to enhance the individuals’ tolerance against different cultures and to familiarize the uniqueness of other cultures. Not only France but also other western European countries (e.g. England and Germany) are in the same position. There is a drift among these countries, however, toward maintain this position due to the change of people’s attitude against foreigners, which can result the retrogression of interactionism. We need to focus on their social changes since they stick to the principle of assimilation forcing foreigners to accept the rules of their own society.