Plural society tensions

A plural society contains diverse cultural and ethnic elements, which may lead to conflict. Most countries are faced with such societies. This may arise from an arbitrary definition of the national boundaries to include two or more ethnic groups, or as a result of colonization or of immigration. Adverse effects are aggravated by discrimination, segregation, exploitation, racism, elitism and a lack of appreciation of cultural differences, leading to disparities and lack of integration. Although assimilation is one answer to the adverse effects of a plural society, it also sows the seeds of discontent. A successful balance in the integration of national and ethnic characteristics has yet to be found.

1. Socioeconomic stress
2. Social inequality

1. Unequal income distribution within countries
2. Socially unintegrated expatriates
3. Social fragmentation through political pluralism
4. Inter-cultural misunderstanding
5. Inadequate integration of ideology into society
6. Fragmentation of religious belief
7. Divisive effects of official cultural pluralism
8. Diverse unilingualism
9. Conflict among minority groups

1. Social injustice
2. Social fragmentation
3. Segregation
4. Racism
5. Racial segregation
6. Political tensions
7. Lack of social mobility
8. Ideological confusion
9. Genocide
10. Ethnocide
11. Cultural fragmentation

1. Unnatural boundaries between states
2. Proliferation of immigrants
3. Lack of assimilation
4. Irredentism
5. Inequality of opportunity
6. Foreign takeover of cities
7. Ethnic discrimination
8. Colonialism

1. Lack of variety of social life forms

1. Mixed race marriage
2. Forced assimilation

1. Weakness of multi-party parliamentary systems
2. Multidenominational society
3. Ethnic conflict

1. Studying tensions created by ethnic trans-state contacts
2. Reducing plural society tensions

1. Tension