A Critical review of multicultural conflict in the Republic of Ireland.

Abstract

The following dissertation was prepared as part of the Independent College Dublin's MA in Dispute Resolution programme. This work will present a critical review of literature about the history of immigration in the Republic of Ireland and how multiculturalism has been presented in this country. For millions of people, migration has always been a part of life. Massive people migrations across international boundaries, seas, and continents have influenced cultural values and lifestyles and altered ethnic and cultural characteristics in many nations. One of the most pressing issues in today's society is the need to strike a balance between cultural variety and social cohesiveness. A more diversified society has emerged due to several reasons connected to globalisation, with individuals of various faiths, languages, cultural values and lifestyles, and traditions and beliefs. Cultural variety may contribute significantly to the quality of life, conflict resolution, and human security, but it can also lead to social friction and conflict. Several countries have had this issue as a challenge in their policies. In some countries, this movement took place late, as, in the Republic of Ireland and other countries, this movement has happened with many conflicts. Each country has its immigration policy and its rules to legislate on. This work aims to briefly analyse this phenomenon through a critical literature review on the subject. Initially, the work will discuss the immigration process in the Republic of Ireland, followed by a reading of authors who discuss the issue of immigration and multiculturalism and how this has been the subject of conflicts and world debates. The experience of other countries will also be considered, in an attempt to analyse what are the other possibilities of dealing with the process, bringing multiculturalism as a possibility to welcome diversity, as in the case of Canada and Australia.