8.10C Multinationalism

• Cultural cohesion = Where different national and ethnic group make a commitment to live together as citizens of the same state
• Cultural cohesion in New Zealand:

  • Once part of the British Empire, it gained independence in 1947.
  • In 1989, to aid cultural cohesion, the 'Tino rangatiratanga' flag accepted as the national flag for the Māori, yet in 2016 in a second-round referendum to change to the country's national flag from its 1902 colonial design (the Union Jack and Southern Cross Stars) to one that incorporated Māori and contemporary culture was defeated
• Cultural Cohesion in the UK:

  • There is a split between political and cultural identity in the UK which has become important in reflecting British values,
  • For instance, Asian families can be politically British but culturally Indian - a way of integrating into British way of life without losing a sense of Indian heritage
• Cultural Cohesion in the USA:

  • National identity is difficult due to a complex settler history yet it has become a melting pot of a single 'American culture'
  • The hundreds of different Native American tribes and communities predate the first settlers and retain their own indigenous culture
• Factors that strengthen national identity:

  • Countries with a common language and a long history, will tend to have a stronger national identity
  • Countries with clear physical borders
  • Government action can attempt to strengthen national identity
  • Sport can strengthen national identity (London 2012); however, this may be short-lived (Brexit vote 2016)
• Factors that can weaken national identity:

  • Countries with clear tribal or religious differences may lack national identity or coherence (Kenya)
  • International migration can weaken national identity as cultures blend
  • Social media allows individuals to build identity through a common interest, making the nation irrelevant
  • Individuals may choose to reject the nation’s identity the nation’s identity itself may be threatened