Cultural Diversity

Much discussed but poorly understood, globalization is at once praised as the answer to all the world's problems and blamed for everything from pollution to poverty. Here Berger and Huntington bring together an array of experts who paint a subtle and richly shaded portrait, showing both the power and the unexpected consequences of this great force. The stereotypes of globalization--characterized as American imperialism on the one hand, and as an economic panacea on the other--fall apart under close scrutiny. Surveying globalization from individual countries of the five major continents, Many Globalizations shows that an emerging global culture does indeed exist. While globalization is American in origin and content, the authors point out that it is far from a centrally directed force like classic imperialism. They examine the currents that carry this culture, from a worldwide class of young professionals to non-governmental organizations, and define globalization's many variations as well as sub-globalizations that bind regions together. Analytical, incisive and stimulating, Many Globalizations offers rare insight into perhaps the central issue of modern times, one that is changing the West as much as the developing world. "Provocative.... Taken together, the trenchant, well-written essays included in this collection provide indisputable evidence that an identifiable global culture is indeed emerging."--World Policy Journal "Analytical and penetrating, belongs...on the desks of anyone with an abiding interest in the forces shaping the world."--Publishers Weekly

This collection of readings provides the reader with a basic introduction to the topic and concepts of cultural diversity as it has come to characterize the culture of the United States. Particular attention is given to the practice of racial, ethnic, and special interest group characterizations. No other book is as complete in its coverage of the diverse cultural groupings that make up the American culture. This unique work serves as a first step in beginning the quest for greater understanding and appreciation of diversity.

One of the most distinctive features of the "American persona" is "a preoccupation and underlying concern in the United States with what is or is not American.'" How far can an ethnic group in the United States go to maintain its identity before it trespasses into what is perceived as un-American terrain? This is the underlying theme of Lambert and Taylor's community based investigation which studies the attitudes of Americans toward ethnic diversity and intergroup relations. This study deals with the peculiar U.S. dichotomy of cultural diversity and assimilation.

America, like other modern nations, is characterized by its diversity and can be seen as a complex and fragmented nation-state. Yet an American culture defined by those beliefs, and behaviors that all Americans do share, irrespective of their other cultural affiliations, does exist. This book presents an innovative approach to the issues and aspects in the study of America's unique culture.

The melting pot is a myth, according to Fernandez. The United States is and always has been a banquet of cultures. Thus, he argues, the best way to deal with the millions of new immigrants is to accept, recognize, and eagerly explore the differences among the American people.

Raising the war on political correctness to a new and higher intellectual level, Philip Devine sheds fresh light on the whole question of cultural standards and the fashionable notion of multiculturalism. While acknowledging the diversity of ways of life and the differing belief systems that arise from and justify those ways of life, the author attacks the current exploitation of diversity to justify a militantly intolerant relativism. His wide-ranging and erudite work connects cultural issues to our real-world existence as biological and historical beings, pulling together ideas of bioethics, education, and the structure and purpose of families. This work will be of interest to those fighting the culture wars across the humanities and social and behavioral sciences.

A guide for the successful transformation of higher education through diversity policy.

This exciting resource encourages students, faculty, and administrators alike to address diversity by questioning campus policies and activities in order to develop more creative solutions. Dialogues for Diversity features a unique format designed to allow readers to skim and identify elements that will lead to discussion. This "pick-and-choose" arrangement enables readers to select the material that works for them.

All CEOs, managers, supervisors, training professionals, and educators must be able to effectively recruit, train, manage, and promote a culturally diverse work force. Unfortunately, few of them have been adequately trained to do so. Effective management of diversity is good business. It takes effective communication, conflict resolution, and the creation of an inclusive organizational culture to succeed. This comprehensive book helps administrators better understand the problems they face--and how to deal with them--by dispelling the myths and facing the realities of cultural diversity.

The word `Europe' is seen and heard constantly, in newspapers, on television and children are taught about it in school. But what does it really mean to us? Does it have the same meaning for everyone? How does it affect our everyday lives? Do we consider ourselves to be Europeans and what does that mean in practice? This book concentrates on aspects of European cultural diversity. The four essays included deal with language, education, the mass media and everyday culture. The issues under discussion are those that strongly influence the way in which we define our common, everyday identity. They are also issues which determine our access to opportunities of different kinds. The book is designed to enable readers to identify those factors which make them and their own environment unique and to place themselves within the context of everyday Europe.

The editors and their contributors explore the world from a pluralistic perspective. There are several models proposed and used by authors that could serve as a framework for multicultural and diversity programs in both education and the workplace. The implementation of programs which target the workplace and specific strategies for success are identified. The international implications of globalization and the need for international as well as "at home" experiences are addressed by several authors. Regional research-based programs and strategies, in particular academic disciplines to promote pluralism, are explored from the university perspective. These models, strategies, and research findings should prove to be most useful for individuals seeking to implement programs to promote pluralism.

Nominated for The Adolphe Bentinck PrizeThis book provides a timely contribution to the contemporary debate on the cultural dimension of European integration. Eight authors from a wide range of disciplines - political science, economics, cultural studies, and history - develop conceptual, as well as empirical themes showing the importance of cultural diversity in Europe. The studies in this book address questions such as:> How different is British political culture from the French?> Will nation states disappear?> Are there cultural barriers to economic integration?

Billions of dollars have been spent on the wrong solution to the complex, sensitive and emotionally charged issue of discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Companies originally invested in diversity training in order to meet Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity requirements, to reduce litigation costs, and to buy social peace. The result was often more social conflict--divisiveness, hostility, backlash, and an increase in litigation. Hemphill and Haines offer a new, simple and effective solution that includes the need to: establish, publish and enforce a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination and harassment; develop standards which define unacceptable professional workplace behaviors; and provide the relationship skills training necessary for all employees to meet the company's behavioral standards. For all business executives, leaders, managers, supervisors, human resource specialists, trainers, consultants, entrepreneurs, and employees.

Elsie Y. Cross draws on her own experiences as an African American woman to provide the practical assistance today's organizational leaders need. She demonstrates how oppression functions at the individual, group, and systems levels, and makes clear that if executives are to solve these problems in the workplace, they must confront their own emotional and psychological barriers first. Not a memoir but a knowledgeable, reasoned explication of a complex and complete system of organizational change, Cross' book is a major contribution to our understanding of gender and cultural problems, and a sign of hope that both can be solved.

According to the National Service Framework for mental health published by the Department of Health in 1999, black and minority ethnic communities have little confidence in mental health services.