Transcript Multiculturalism in Greece: A discussion on potential social and cultural gains of ethnic diversity within the framework of national identity problematic.

‘Multiculturalism in Greece: A discussion
on potential social and cultural gains of
ethnic diversity within the framework of
national identity problematic’
Presentation prepared for
The 4th HO PhD Symposium on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus
Hellenic Observatory, European Institute, LSE
25 & 26 June 2009
Foteini Kalantzi
Ph.D Candidate
University of Macedonia, Greece
I. Introduction
• On Immigration
• European and Greek policies
• Greece’s transformation from mono-cultural
to multi-cultural society
• Defining Multiculturalism
II. Immigration and
multiculturalism in Greece
• Geo-political changes
• Transition (new policies/different wording in
public sphere)
• Greece’s coordination with EU policies
• Demonising immigrants
• Immigrants as the ‘Other’ – social identity theory
• Cultural dilemmas
• Nationalistic and extreme right-wing movements
III. Characteristics of Greek
identity
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Historical incidents
Religion
Homogeneity
Cultural forces
Socio-economic structure and economic
situation
6) Need for Self-definition
IV. A Theoretical Note:
Construction of national identity as
a social consensus
• National identity as a collective identity 
differently perceived by those who are
members of the group, and by those who
don’t belong in it.
• Human agent’s importance in constructing
and reproducing social reality
• Constructivist and dynamic character of
culture and identities
V. Multiculturalism as a challenge
for Greek society
A. Considering:
• Main characteristics of the Greek identity
• Greek society’s need to come to terms with the
new social and cultural aspects
• Society’s ability to continually negotiate
identities
• Social groups construct their image on the basis
of the ‘Other’
B. Multiculturalism’s Potentiality
- Multiculturalism as a path for re-evaluation
- ‘Otherness’ and Greekness
- Overcoming historic psychological
syndrome
- Cultural development
VI. Concluding Remarks
• When Greek identity becomes obsession 
nationalism
• Current challenges, like multiculturalism
• Every foreign element becomes a trigger for
enrichment and renewal of the Greek selfconscience