Paper's abstract

Catherine Audard, Multiculturalism and Transformations of Citizenship
"Multiculturalism" is one expression which the French public opinion has demonised as it seems to convey a vision of a racially divided society, of "ghettoised" cultural minorities and the end of the French "République" as a united community. Here, "Americanization" of French law seems at its most threatening. But, in the present crisis of citizenship, the successes of policies such as "affirmative action" and "positive discrimination" may provide relevant inspiration. The question of cultural rights, now increasingly central in European public law, has been raised on the basis of such policies. The paper addresses these different questions and answers in a positive way, showing how a respect for cultural differences and the establishment of cultural rights, far from threatening civic integration, can foster a deeper sense of belonging and a greater commitment to democracy.

Key Words : multiculturalism, affirmative action, democracy
t. 45, 2001 : p. 227-243

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