Integration versus voluntary ethnocultural clustering

Abstract

In an increasingly multicultural society, where racism is still prevalent, it is important for policy makers to determine the best way to deal with this situation. On the one hand, there are theorists like Iris Marion Young and Michael Merry. Their non-ideal theory entails that people should deal with the situation as it currently is by allowing voluntary clustering amongst people with similar ethnocultural backgrounds. Racist structures are so prevalent that it's unlikely to change sufficiently. On the other hand, there are theorists like Elizabeth Anderson and Margo Trappenburg. They theorize about a society as it should be:a society where individuals are more equal, where people treat each other with respect regardless of ethnocultural background. They believe integration is not only an end, but also the means to achieve this: how can people empathize when they don’t really interact? I will argue why I indeed believe integration is the most effective way to cultivate as much social equality as possible.