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Multiculturalism: Some Implications for Sustainable Development
in Africa
Idoren,en -rancis Esi.ot
-acult, of /rts) Department of "0ilosop0,) 1niversit, of 1,o) ".2.3 117) 1,o - /.wa Ibom State) Nigeria
E-mail4 access.esi.ot5gmail.com
Abstract
60e 0istor, of p0ilosop0, is c0aracteri7ed b, t0e emergence of ideologies or p0ilosop0ies t0at 0ave influenced
social relations at one time or t0e ot0er. 2ulticulturalism is one of suc0 p0ilosop0ies. /s a p0ilosop0, of
association or cultural and social relations) t0is paper argues t0at it is an indispensable tool for /frica8s
integration) and conse9uentl, sustainable development.
Keywords: 2ulticulturalism) implication) sustainable) development) /frica

1. Introduction
60e 0istor, of p0ilosop0, and indeed 0umanit, 0as been c0aracteri7ed b, t0e emergence of trends) movements)
ideas or ideologies w0ic0 0ave 0eld swa, at one time or t0e ot0er. :0ile some of t0ese 0ave c0anged 0uman
relations) perceptions) and attitudes remar.abl,) ot0ers 0ave lac.ed followers0ip and support. Notwit0standing
t0eir s0ort comings) eac0 0ad roles and place in 0uman 0istor, and collectivel, 0ad aided 0uman advancement.
In t0e last decade or so) t0e p0ilosop0, of multiculturalism 0as 0eld swa, wit0 differing perceptions of its
implications. In some 9uarters it is an alternative to t0e polic, of assimilation) w0ile for ot0ers it is actuall, an
alternative to t0e polic, of differentialism.
:0ile assimilation sees et0nic and cultural differences as transitor, and capable of disappearing overtime as a
result of full political) social and cultural incorporation of minorities into a nation or state) differentialism insist
on separate identities and commitments of et0nic and cultural groups. ;at0er t0an investigating t0ese contentions)
t0is essa, aspires to 0ig0lig0t some of t0e implications of multiculturalism for a sustainable development in
/frica. <et us e=amine in some detail w0at multiculturalism is.
2. Multiculturalism: Bac!round" Meanin! and #ypes
2ulticulturalism as a p0ilosop0, of association) or cultural and social relations is some few decades old. 3ostoc.
!1+$1# notes in t0is regard t0at4
60e term multiculturalism was coined in >anada in t0e 1+?8s and was used
b, t0e 6rudeau @overnment to tr, to promote 0armon, between t0e
pre-dominant -renc0->anadian and 3ritis0->anadian cultures) as well as
wit0 t0e various minorit, cultures !p.(2#.
2ulticulturalism t0us emerged more or less as a social polic, wit0 positive obAectives) namel,B to assimilate)
0armoni7e and en0ance unit, in t0e midst of diversit,. 2ulticulturalism is t0e recognition and acceptance of
et0nic) religious and cultural diversit, and t0e demand for an e9uitable status for all suc0 cultural communities.
60e above goal notwit0standing) t0ere are minor identifiable differences or traits in t0e conception of
multiculturalism t0at 0ave found e=pressions in t0e last decades. Demograp0ic) prescriptive or normative)
0olistic and liberal or political multiculturalism are some of predominant t,pes of multiculturalism. :e need to
e=amine t0em piece-meal as suc0 attempt will aid in t0e proper estimation and understanding of
multiculturalism.
Demograp0ic or descriptive trait or usage refers to t0e e=istence of linguisticall,) culturall, and et0nicall,
diverse segment in t0e composition or ma.e up of a state. It entails t0e assertion t0at because a societ, is
composed of people from different bac.grounds) suc0 a societ, s0ould be viewed as multicultural. 60e wea.ness
of demograp0ic or descriptive multiculturalism is in its failure to state e=plicitl, or categoricall, at w0at point a
societ, is multicultural. -or instance) is it a matter of scale or proportionC Does t0e demograp0ic status of a state
c0ange as one or ten foreigners visit and t0ereafter settle down in suc0 a stateC
"rescriptive or normative multiculturalism on it part is idealistic in c0aracter. It is t0e idea t0at modern societies
oug0t to embrace t0e necessit, of distinct cultural groups wit0 e9ual cultural and political status. Dence "etro
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@eorgiou !1+$*# argues t0at for some Ea trul, multicultural societ, would ma.e provision for t0e use of all
languages in ever,da, affairs) including official8s transactionsF !p.1(%#. Normative or prescriptive
multiculturalism t0oug0 appears utopia provides a ,ardstic. or pattern t0at guides in t0e determination of 0ow
muc0 a societ, is multicultural in nature) depending on it closeness to t0e pattern.
"olitical multiculturalism emp0asi7es t0e active promotion of cultural pluralism b, government. It encourages
migrants to remain wit0in a state as separate Eet0nic groupsF In t0is sense political multiculturalism is
programmatic and at variance wit0 a normal cultural trend. "olitical multiculturalism is closel, related to
Dolistic multiculturalism w0ic0 promote t0e belief t0at t0e maintenance of Gman,8 or Gplural8 cultures wit0in a
nation is valuable bot0 to t0e et0nic groups speciall, and to t0e nation as a w0ole.
Dolistic multicultural unli.e political t0us promote a mode of living w0ereb, ever, person maintains w0atever it
desire of 0is or 0er culture and identif, wit0out preAudice. 60oug0 0olistic promotes t0e role of c0oice unli.e
political multiculturalism) t0ere is an enormous practical difficult, wit0 it. Is it reall, possible for a migrant to
bring into a 0ost culture practices strange and alien to it wit0out an, reaction from t0e 0ostC
<astl,) liberal multiculturalism emp0asi7es on cultural diversit, and celebrating et0nic variet,. It assumes t0e
e=istence of pre-e=isting cultures w0ic0 relate and interact wit0 eac0 ot0er) but does not e=amine t0e 0ierarc0ies
of power underpinning t0ese interactions. 60is failure to e=amine t0e 0ierarc0ies of power and t0e multifarious
implication of suc0 interaction is a serious flaw of t0e liberal position.
-rom our discussion above two different understanding of multiculturalism are deducible. -irstl,) is t0e
understanding of multiculturalism as interaction and communication between different cultures. Suc0 interaction
creates opportunities for different cultures to engage t0emselves and conse9uentl, resulting in multiculturalism.
Secondl,) t0e understanding t0at cultural isolation can protect and also contribute to global cultural diversit, and
uni9ueness. / t,pical e=ample of t0e second is t0e -renc0 polic, of Ecultural e=ceptionF introduced in 1++( in
@eneral /greement on 6ariff and 6rade !@/66# w0ic0 aimed at -rance cultural safet,.
:0en different cultures cooperate or relate wit0 eac0 ot0er) t0ese two broad understanding of multiculturalism
results in dissimilar strategies. Dowever) t0e two understanding are not absolutel, distinct from eac0 ot0er as
t0e, are better viewed as complementing eac0 ot0er ultimatel,.
3orrowing) -ernando &rti7 term Etrans culturalismF as an indicator or a transaction of one culture wit0 anot0er)
t0e point is t0at in a cultural environment cultures are not simpl, interacting and isolating) rat0er all wor.
toget0er at t0e same time) but affecting different aspects of cultures to create a new form of culture. 60is
understanding seems to be t0e cardinal point t0at multiculturalism promotes.

2ulticulturalism can t0us be associated wit0 re-valuing disrespected identities) or wit0 an economic cum
political demand t0at remedies be provided for t0e economic and political disadvantages t0at people suffer as a
result of t0eir minorit, status. 2ulticulturalism ta.e for granted t0at it is EcultureF and Gcultural groups8 t0at are
to be recogni7ed and accommodated) ,et t0eir claim include a wide range of claims involving religion) language)
et0nicit,) nationalit, and race. 60is s0ould not appear surprising because culture is a broad concept incorporating
most or all of t0ese subAects.

"er0aps it is appropriate at t0is point to e=amine t0e aims and Austification for multiculturalism. 60is is important
in view of our primar, obAective in t0is essa,.
$. %eviewin! t&e Aims and 'ustification of Multiculturalism
Jerr, Hubr7,c.i 0as argued t0at t0e t0ree basic aims of multiculturalism are et0nic cultural identit,) a more
sociall, co0esive nation and e9ual access to social resources. 3rain 3ullivant !1+$(# t0oug0 raises doubts about
t0e r0etoric of multiculturalism) admits t0ese t0ree aims 0ave dominated official statements about
multiculturalism) but notes t0at a fourt0 one is often added namel,B e9ual responsibilit, for) commitment to and
participation in societ,.

60ese aims provide a basis for some of t0e Austification of multiculturalism. >ommunitarians reAect t0e belief
t0at t0e individual is prior to t0e communit,) and t0at t0e value of social goods can be reduced to t0eir
contributions to individual well-being. &ntological 0olism w0ic0 views social goods as Eirreducibl, socialF
c0aracteri7es t0eir fundamental belief.

60is 0olist view of collective identities and cultures underlies >0arles 6a,lor8s normative case for multicultural
policies of recognition. Diverse cultural identities and languages are irreducible social goods w0ic0 s0ould be
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presumed to be of e9ual wort0B according to 0im. Suc0 recognition re9uires replacing t0e traditional liberal
regime of identical liberties and opportunities for all citi7ens wit0 a sc0eme of special rig0ts for minorit, cultural
groups.

60e second Austification comes from liberalism. 3ased on t0e liberal views of autonom, and e9ualit, .,mlic.a
!1+$+# for instance argues to t0e effect t0at culture is said to be instrumentall, valuable to individuals because it
assures individuals autonom, and self-respect. :it0 reference to t0e communitarian t0eor,) .,mlic.a !1+$%#
maintains t0at t0ere is a deep connection between a person8s self-respect and t0e respect accorded to t0e cultural
group of w0ic0 0e belongs. &nes culture t0us needs to be secured in view of t0e difficult, of giving it up.

I,mlic.a !1+$+# argues from t0ese premises about t0e instrumental value of cultural members0ip to t0e
egalitarian claim t0at because members of minorit, groups are disadvantaged in terms of access to t0eir own
culture as against t0e maAorit, groups) t0e, are entitled to a special protection. 60is view reflects t0e central idea
in luc. egalitarianism J t0e view t0at individuals s0ould be 0eld responsible for ine9ualities resulting from t0eir
own c0oices and not t0ose from unc0osen circumstances.

I,mlic.a !1+$%# maintains t0at ine9ualit, in access to cultural members0ip in a minorit, culture stem from luc.
and not one8s own c0oices. 60e minorit, culture can reasonabl, demand t0at members of maAorit, culture s0are
in bearing t0e cost of accommodation. Dence) I,mlic.a !1+$%# argues t0at minorit, rig0ts are Austified Ewit0in a
liberal egalitarian t0eor, Kw0ic0 emp0asi7es t0e importance of rectif,ing unc0osen ine9ualitiesF !p.1+#.

60e ot0er Austification !post colonial# loo. be,ond liberalism) maintaining t0at a multicultural societ, consists of
diverse religious and moral outloo.. It contends t0at if liberals are to view seriousl, suc0 diversit,) t0e, must
recogni7e t0e fact t0at liberalism is Aust one of t0e man, substantive outloo.s based on t0e specific view of
0uman societ,. 60e above discourse does not in an, wa, suggest t0at multiculturalism 0as been wit0out attac.
or criticism. 60ere is t0e criticism based on t0e ideas of liberal toleration) freedom of conscience and association.
>0andran Iu.at0os for e=ample 0as argued against t0e e=istence of group rig0ts. 3, granting cultural groups
special protections and rig0ts) t0e state oversteps its role w0ic0 is to secure civilit, and ris.s undermining
individual rig0ts of association. /ccording to Iu.at0ose !1++%# states s0ould not pursue Ecultural integration or
cultural engineering but rat0er a politics of indifferenceF !p.1%#.

Iu.at0os !1++%# view would 0ave been more meritorious if most states as a matter of practice adopt t0e polic,
of indifference) but t0is is not e=actl, so. States operate in almost ever, ramification t0e Epolitics of interestF
rat0er t0an EindifferenceF. 3esides) if we can affirm individual rig0ts as meaningful) t0en it ma.es sense to spea.
of group rig0ts. In a sense E0uman rig0tsF are group rig0ts and t0ere are several ot0er categories of group rig0ts.

60e ot0er criticism is t0e view t0at multiculturalism is a Epolitics of recognitionF t0at deviates from a politics of
redistribution. / politics of recognition c0allenges status ine9ualit, and t0e remed, it see.s is cultural and
s,mbolic c0ange. Its focus on culture and identit, diverts attention from and activel, undermine t0e struggle for
economic Austice. /gain) t0is argument ta.es for granted t0e e=istence of a neat or clear cut differentiation
between recognition and redistribution) between cultural and economic Austice) and between culture !values# and
economic interest or development. &n t0e contrar,) a peoples culture contains t0e germs of w0atever interest it
0as or ma, 0ave !w0et0er economic) political or religious#. /s t0e culture undergoes modification b, virtue of
e=ternal influences) t0e interests gets modified as well.

3esides) it does not seem correct as t0e argument above portra,s t0at recognition cannot influence or stimulate
redistribution. /s a matter of fact recognition could be t0e sole basis for redistribution. :ort0, of note also is t0e
criticism t0at comes from t0ose w0o are concerned wit0 t0e 9uestion of reconciling t0e diversit, of societ, wit0
0omogeni7ation. 60e point of emp0asis against multiculturalism is t0e impeding of t0e full integration and
acceptance of immigrants into 0ost countr, and 0ence leading to disunit,. 60is argument needs to be furt0er
9ualified to be effective) as it ignores t0e rig0t to citi7ens0ip and indigeni7ation provisions in most cultures.

-inall,) "utnam !27# 0as argued against multiculturalism b, insisting t0at t0e more raciall, diverse a culture
is) t0e greater t0e lost of trust. De asserts4
:e 0un.er down. :e act li.e turtles. 60e effect of diversit, is
worse t0an 0ad been imagined. /nd it is not Aust t0at we don8t trust
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people w0o are not li.e us. In diverse communities) we don8t trust
people w0o do loo. li.e us !p.(#.

"utnam8s view is difficult to swallow 0oo.) line and sin.er in t0at it contains elements of e=aggeration. 60oug0
0is view ma, be true in specific instances) it is wrong to conclude t0at all multicultural societies must suffer t0is
predicament to t0e e=tent t0at in suc0 cultural settings meaningful cooperation is impossible. Even in
non-multicultural societies distrust e=ist) sometimes not Aust on t0e basis of religion !but sects of t0e same
religion#) and sometimes for ot0er reasons.

/ttractive as t0ese and ot0er criticisms of multiculturalism appears to be) t0e cru= of t0e matter is t0at t0e, are
not so compelling to warrant to total reAection of multiculturalism in view of its positive potentials. "er0aps)
w0at t0ese criticisms s0ould demand is a revision of some of t0e principles of multiculturalism in order to cater
for t0e varied forms of social consciousness and value s,stems. Infact) in m, opinion) t0e adoption of
multiculturalism would provide a sure base for /frica8s integration and development. 60is issue I t0in. deserves
our immediate attention.

(. Multiculturalism: Some Implications for Sustainable Development in Africa

2odernit, 0as broug0t a situation w0ere more people are disillusioned about t0e prospects associated wit0 it
especiall, in /frica. :it0 diverse and some more intimidating socio-political and economic p0ilosop0ies ma.ing
incursions into /frica) t0e ordinar, /frican feels estranged and ostraci7ed from 0is real socio-cultural
foundations. Dence) for some /fricans t0e incursions at best seems to carr, wit0 it new moralities and
entrenc0ment of trivial banalities. Let t0e acceptance of t0is incursion seems to be t0e acceptance of a cruel
wound on t0e moral fabric of t0e /frican societ, leaving be0ind putref,ing moral sores.

-or t0is reason) some person argue t0at t0e acceptance of a multicultural p0ilosop0, or societ, tantamount to
compromising /frica8s bedroc. culture wit0 a new one. 60is compromise becomes e=tremel, difficult t0e more
groups demand for t0e restructuring of t0e previous culture and res0aping t0e economic) political and ot0er
aspects or sp0eres of t0e societ,. In addition) multicultural societies dominant culture ma, clandestinel,
manipulate t0e s,stem to retain t0e power d,namics and prevent t0e flouris0ing of subcultures.

In m, view) t0ese arguments are not impeccable to warrant a total reAection of multiculturalism as a p0ilosop0,
in /frica. &ne basic fact of t0e /frican social formation is its composition b, et0nic nationalities or multi-et0nic
groups.

/lt0oug0 t0e e=istence of multi-et0nic nationalities does not itself constitute an issue wit0 political
conse9uences) t0e process of social c0ange or moderni7ation 0as raised or increased t0e interest of t0ese groups
and elevates t0em to t0e political realm. 60is is an issue for furt0er researc0. 60e point of emp0asis 0ere is t0at
/frican culture or societ, 0as never reall, been 0omogenous and t0is e=plains w0, multicultural influences will
not be strange to it) but rat0er en0ance speed, integration re9uired for development.

/ critic ma, point to t0e fact t0at inspite of t0e multicultural outloo. of /frica t0at t0ere are still conflicts of
various .inds-religious) political and economic. / 9uic. response would be t0at conflicts are inevitable in 0uman
e=istence. /s a matter of fact) rig0t after independence) /frican leaders saw t0at et0nicit, or tribalism was one
sure developmental setbac. for /frica) but rat0er t0an embar. on genuine integration drive) t0e, politici7ed t0e
need and developed a level of greed and insensitivit, t0at ma.es t0e colonialist e=ploit in /frica almost a non
issue. 60e above fact notwit0standing) t0ere is t0e li.eli0ood t0at an official multicultural polic, would minimi7e
to t0e barest minimum t0e occurrences of t0ese conflicts.

-or instance) multiculturalism en0ances an appreciation of t0e value of diversit, and differences in a democratic
culture) t0us 0elping to integrate diverse cultures into t0e larger societ, wit0out cutting t0em off from t0eir past.
60is in turn 0elps to reinforce t0e polit, because citi7ens are willing to ma.e sacrifices or compromises for t0ose
wit0 w0om t0e, 0ave common proAect or interest. 60e diffusion of commonl, s0ared values promotes
integration.

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In addition) t0e balance w0ic0 multiculturalism promotes between e9ualit, and protection of rig0ts of persons
will en0ance effective democrati7ation and t0e development of a sound political culture. /s a polic, of
accommodation) tolerance and inclusiveness wit0out preAudice) discrimination on t0e basis of origin) se=)
religion and et0nic association would be minimi7ed. >losel, related to t0e above is t0e issue of language. Not
onl, 0as language differences served as basis of discrimination and segregation but 0as been ver, potent
instrument or indices t0at determines w0o gets w0at .ind of development. Some /frican nations in recognition
of t0is problem pose b, t0e e=istence of numerous languages) and t0e role of language in integration and
development 0ave adopted w0at t0e, call Enational language!s#F. 60ese t0e, 0ave done b, t0e selection of one)
two or t0ree local languages acclaimed to be widel, spo.en and elevating same to a national status.

60is approac0 0as been counter-productive in most cases for several reasons. -irstl,) it amounts to replacing a
primar, discrimination wit0 a tertiar, one) t0ereb, e=tending t0e bounds of discrimination and giving same an
official stamp. Secondl,) non spea.ers of suc0 elevated languages view t0is as an attempt to arrogantl, impose
on t0em values t0at are alien.

60us) t0ese efforts rat0er t0an engender integration and development 0as broug0t about suspicion) and distrust.
-urt0ermore spea.ers of t0e Eminor languagesF 0ave introduced t0ese so called minor languages in educational
curriculum at t0e local levels to c0ec. t0e flouris0ing of t0e national languages) and w0atever cultural or value
re-orientation it aimed to ac0ieve. Suc0 surreptitious elevation of some languages and conse9uentl,) some values
and practices at t0e e=pense of ot0ers is bound to 0ave social conse9uences) because local languages are t0e most
veritable tool for social mobili7ation and t0e building bloc.s for learning.

60e point is t0at t0e affirmation and recognition of t0e importance of all languages and promotion of a cultural
and political climate t0at encourages t0eir flouris0ing s0ould be a basic starting point in t0e searc0 for a national
language.
60is will ensure t0at w0en a national language emerges ultimatel, t0roug0 t0e natural processes of adAustments)
persuasion and mutual acceptabilit,) a climate t0at fosters and encourages sustainable development would 0ave
been in place.

2ulticulturalism provides t0e re9uired bac.ground for appropriate modifications of t0e diversities in languages
and ot0er cultural attributes to en0ance development.

Directl, lin.ed to t0e language problem is t0e maAorit, and minorit, problem in /frican states or nations. 60ese
problem manifests w0enever t0e maAor or larger et0nic groups appeal directl, or indirectl, to its numerical
strengt0 to allot more t0an its fair s0are of social goods to itself. In ot0er word w0en numerical strengt0 is
considered t0e sole or most important criterion in t0e distribution of social goods. 60e minor or small et0nic
groups are t0us conceived as no more t0an e=istential appendages. Suc0 situations generate unnecessar, tensions
t0at slow down bot0 integration and development. @wunireama !2$# 0as t0is in mind w0en 0e notes t0at EK
t0ere are tensions arising from e=pression of identit, of members and t0erefore accommodations are necessar,F
!p.+2#.

De notes also t0at in a sense it seems fair to e9uate minorit, status wit0 discrimination and regard t0e dominating
group as a maAorit, regardless of t0e numerical strengt0. 60e crucial point 0e ma.es 0owever) is t0at t0e
individual minorit, is intrinsicall, involved in t0e composition and institutionali7ation of t0e maAorit,) w0ic0 is
t0e minorit, Ewrit largeF. /gain) multiculturalism as a p0ilosop0, of accommodation can serve as a mediating
p0ilosop0, mitigating as it were t0e maAorit, and minorit, problem) as well as all ot0er associated problems.

<astl,) povert, remains a ver, serious t0reat to democrati7ation and development in /frica. /s a multifaceted
p0enomenon) povert, finds e=pression in virtuall, all aspects or sp0ere8s of activit, in t0e /frican continent)
0ence) t,picall, c0aracteri7ed wit0 political) economic or cultural deprivations. / multicultural p0ilosop0, can
s0orten or prevent transient povert, from transforming to an absolute .ind. In fact) t0e non-material dimensions
of povert, can effectivel, be c0ec.ed w0ile a formidable base is provided for minimi7ing t0e material
dimensions of povert,. -or emp0asis) reduction of t0e levels or dimensions of povert, is also one vital tool for
t0e elimination of apat0, in matters of governance) or political commitment b, /fricansB w0ic0 in turn is a
necessit,) if corruption is to be tac.led 0eadlong.
). %ecommendations and *onclusion
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2ulticulturalism is a fact of life in t0e sense t0at virtuall, ever, 0uman culture is influenced b, anot0er in terms
of lending and borrowing new wa,s of life) music) food) art and even .nowledge. It is suc0 interactions t0at
ma.e life meaningful in a sense. /s a matter of fact) despite resistances against multicultural influences) most
societies are alread, multicultural and c0aracteri7ed b, cultural 0,bridit,. 60is fact is w0at Jerem, :aldron
!1++# emp0asi7es w0en 0e argues t0at4
:e live in a world formed b, tec0nolog, and tradeB b, economic) religious and
political imperialism and t0eir offspringB b, mass migration and dispersion of cultural
influences. In t0is conte=t) to immerse oneself in t0e traditional practices of) sa,) an
aboriginal culture mig0t be a fascinating ant0ropological e=periment but it involves
an artificial dislocation from w0at actuall, is going on in t0e world !p.1#.
/frica must) t0erefore) come to terms wit0 t0e fact of t0e realit, of dwindling traditional values or moralit,. It
must wit0out dela, recover from t0e grief and s0oc. of colonialism li.e ot0er coloni7ed continents w0ic0 are
presentl, ma.ing scientific) tec0nological and ot0er uncommon ac0ievements or contributions globall, to move
t0e world forward. /frica) w0ile accepting its socio-0istorical past) must develop a new conceptual and
developmental paradigm t0at affirms t0e realit, of t0e past but does not suffer disconnect wit0 t0e present. It
must do awa, wit0 Eunwarranted cautionsF for an,t0ing non /frican. In ot0er words) /frica must accept its
0istor,) refuse to complain in perpetuit,) and face s9uarel, t0e c0allenges of a new world order.
&nl, t0en will /frica refuse to interpreted global social and political c0anges as affront on its social and
collective integrit,) aimed primaril, at marginali7ing 0er. 60is new p0ilosop0, re9uires openness) acceptabilit,)
interdependence) tolerance) accommodation and effective integration. In t0is renewed effort multiculturalism
remains t0e best bait. / multicultural p0ilosop0, would promote unit, and in turn can fast trac. development.
60is seems sure in view of t0e multicultural aim of promoting oneness of life among different cultures of societ,.
Suc0 unit, in t0e midst of diversit, is a fundamental cornerstone for /frica8s integration. -inall,) t0e need to
enforce or maintain universal e9ualit, w0ile at t0e same time protect individual or group rig0ts will ensure a
social balance t0at promotes t0e democratic culture of tolerance and accommodation re9uired for a sustainable
development.
Sustainable development in t0is sense will be all encompassing and not one dimensional) w0ic0 often times)
improvement in one sp0ere creates dise9uilibrium in several ot0ers. 60ere would be 9uantitative progress
!economic# but en0anced and provided for b, efficient structural c0anges !9ualitative c0anges# in attitudes)
environmental care) intellectual dept0 and growt0) as well as a general willingl, and commitment to social
progress.
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Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development www.iiste.org
ISSN 2222-17 !"aper# ISSN 2222-2$%% !&nline#
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+7


Idore,en -. Esi.ot is a member of Nigeria "0ilosop0ical /ssociation) International "0ilosop0ical /ssociation and
a Senior <ecturer in t0e Department of "0ilosop0,) 1niversit, of 1,o. De earned 0is 3ac0elor8s of /rts Degree
in "0ilosop0, from t0e 1niversit, of 1,o /.wa Ibom State Nigeria in 1++2B 2asters in "0ilosop0, from
&bafemi /wolowo 1niversit,) &sun State Nigeria in 1+++B and a "0.D in "0ilosop0, from t0e 1niversit, of
"ort-Darcourt ) ;ivers State in 2?. De speciali7es in value t0eories) socio-political p0ilosop0,) t0eories of
.nowledge and p0ilosop0, of law.



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