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A democratic heterogeneous society is an example of an ideal society as it would provide all groups the right to participate and exist peacefully, however, according to David Welsh, “establishing and sustaining democratic institutions in ethnically divided societies, is a difficult task.” (Welsh, 1993) This is especially true because of the fact that there are many historical complications that prevent us from attaining such a society. While it is faster to develop a democracy with people who share the same ethnic groups and cultures, these types democracies tend to be fragile as groups who disagree with certain views that the majority hold often lead to civil conflict as they had failed to develop understanding and tolerance as compared to other societies which have.

Tom Creer

Bartosz Bieguniak

Omar Abdulaziz

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Substantial equality – marginalized groups get their interests represent and acted on. If there is a representation of all groups present in society, they are acting on a group’s interests. If you rule the people, represent the people. We think politics should be accessible so that more people can pursue their interests and represent themselves and go for what they want in society. Those affected decisions should have a seat at the table where decisions are made, because we don’t know if the person, we elect in the government will represent us. However, making the government more accessible greatly improves the chances of voices to be heard and reaching substantial equality.

-          Nia Serieux

-          Lisa Toney

-          Ronisha Gonzales-Cruickshank

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Rabushka and Shepsle argues that it leads to increased ethnic conflict which we agree with because homogenetic countries tend to democratize faste.(Rabushka&Shepsle, 1972)

This is according to Donald Horowitz who observed that countries with one ethic group tended to democratize much faster that countries with multiple ethnic groups. (Horowitz, 1993)

We agree with Rabushka and Shepsle because of the above evidence and personal experience with ethnically divided political situations.

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Ethnic heterogeneity and democracy have a complicated relationship. The introduction of different cultures to a democratic society can be good as it introduces new ideas to that nation and can broaden understanding of what is considered democratic worldwide.

On the other hand, western democracy in particular has a complicated and different view of what is democratic than many nations in the east. Introducing these nations and their cultures to the idea of western society may cause division in the nation and create groups both opposing and supporting it.

Overall, if the introduction of different cultures is done in a proper manner, ensuring sensitivity and understanding of the cultures so that there is minimal prejudice; allowing your citizens to broaden their worldview can aid in establishing a truly democratic society.

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Heterogeneity does not impose on democracy however people’s individual views do.

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There are two main factors the determine  relationship between ethnic diversity and democracy. The first is the extent to which political decisions are made along ethnic lines. The 2nd is the extent to which a nation is polarized as apposed to simply fractionalized.

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Democracy has a positive relationship to heterogenic ethnicity as it is more inclusive which provides that more people may benefit from it. In the case that only one particular ethnicity is considered a citizen, only that group may benefit while others will not consider it democracy.

For example:

In ancient Greece, only men were citizens. Women therefore did not experience democracy.

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The more diverse a community, the more deliberation of values, higher probability for conflict. This in history has led to violent conflict. However, in the modern era, ethnic based conflicts are often exacerbated by issues of nationalism.

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Ethnic diversity promotes a multitude of political thought which helps society develop into a more democratic state

"Ethnic politics to a single dimension destabilize democracy, whereas institutions that foster multiple dimensions of ethnic identity can sustain it" (Chandra, 2005, p.236)

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We believe that ethnic heterogeneity mostly interferes with democratization, however, it can have a positive impact on democracy as well.

Proof:

“G. Bingham Powell (1982) found a negative relationship between ethnic fractionalization, on the one hand, and governmental stability, civil peace, and the prospects for democracy, on the other.”

Kanchan Chandra: ethnic parties can help sustain democracy if these parties are institutionally encouraged to compete on multiple dimensions rather than on just the unidimensional axis of ethnicity.

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Ethnic heterogeneity and democracy interfere with each other because...

1. As argued by Gabriel Almond the idea that ethnically diverse societies are relatively more prone to violent conflict is at the heart of the argument. Ethnic heterogeneity is essential bad for political democracy (Almond, 1950).

2. Politics of ethnic outbidding ultimately undermine multi ethnic cooperation and inevitable leads to non democratic, ethnically exclusive states. (Rabushka & Shepsle, 1972).