Multiculturalism and American Democracy : University Press of Kansas : 9780700608829 : 0700608826 : 30 Apr 1998 : Multiculturalism: is it the face of twenty-first century America or merely a passing intellectual fad? With its celebration of ethnic diversity and strong advocacy of tolerance, this contemporary movement provides philosophical justification for many who seek to correct social inequities. But while its proponents see it as a means of promoting self-esteem among marginalized groups, its critics see it as a dangerous form of relativism that culminates, paradoxically, in a new form of intolerance. The fourteen essays in this volume address the pros and cons of multiculturalism and explore its relationship with liberal democracy. A team of stellar contributors?C. Vann Woodward, Linda Chavez, Stanley Fish, and others?offers viewpoints on multiculturalism from the perspectives of political theory, history, philosophy, and fiction. The editors first help explain multiculturalism