Polyculturalism and Self-determination [Contribution to the
Reimagining Society Project hosted by ZCommunications] The
present essay reviews in summary form the key ideas for
"cultural liberation" and then discusses the consequences of
these ideas for the concept of self-determination, specifically
national self-determination, in our world and in a good society.
Review of polyculturalism In previous work I have presented
ideas for how 'cultural communities' might interact in a good
society and presented some thoughts on how these lessons might
apply to movements today (Race, Culture and Leftists and
Revolutionizing Culture). The conclusion of Race, Culture and
Leftists is as follows: "Material and political inequalities
between individuals and groups are absent in a good society, but
cultural and identity differences are not. Neither separation
nor assimilation are viable frameworks for cross-cultural
interaction. The alternative to these is a ‘polycultural'
framework in which multiple, overlapping identities