MULTICULTURALISM AND POSTSTRUCTURAL THEORY: APPRAISAL AND IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Multiculturalism is a contested terrain. Rooted deeply in a belief in opportunity for all, it has seen phenomenal shift from a desirable to an undesirable proposition. As a desirable and pragmatic theoretical concept, it originated in the West to accommodate ever growing numbers of immigrant. But in the wake of uncalled for social and political events across the world, multiculturalism finds itself surrounded by uncertainty concerning its future in the western peninsula. It has also been argued that due to increased polarization between cultures and increased sectarian, ethnic and linguistic divides, multiculturalism is no longer an issue of the west. It has rather become global and therefore calls for revitalization.  In this context, the study argues that poststructural theory, popularly applied across the disciples carries great significance for revitalizing the multiculturalism phenomenon. The study particularly refers to Derridean deconstruction and its immeasurable implications for multiculturalism, cultural and linguistic plurality. It has been concluded that poststructural theory can restructure the existing hierarchies of power structure to accommodate multiple voices from the peripheries.