Pluralism in the World
Senior 6 · General and Religious Studies
Pluralism in the World
Lesson 2 of 3
22 min
Switzerland has no single national language. Its Federal Constitution names four: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Road signs, laws, banknotes and food labels appear in several languages; children learn at least one other national language at school; and the federal government is shared among people from every language region. Switzerland also has no single dominant religion or party. Yet, far from being torn apart, it is one of the most peaceful and prosperous countries in the world.
Switzerland's wealth has many causes, from banking to its location in Europe, and diversity alone did not produce it. But the Swiss case shows that a country can turn difference into strength when it organises itself around pluralism. This lesson asks how.
Important
Source A: UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted 2 November 2001
Article 2: "Policies for the inclusion and participation of all citizens are guarantees of social cohesion, the vitality of civil society and peace. [...] Indissociable from a democratic framework, cultural pluralism is conducive to cultural exchange and to the flourishing of creative capacities that sustain public life."
Article 3: "Cultural diversity widens the range of options open to everyone; it is one of the roots of development, understood not simply in terms of economic growth, but also as a means to achieve a more satisfactory intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual existence."
Definition
Development: lasting improvement in people's lives: income and jobs, but also health, education, freedom, security and dignity.
Social cohesion: the trust and sense of belonging that hold the members of a society together and let them cooperate.
Inclusion: making sure that every group can take part in, and benefit from, the life of society.
Civil society: organisations that are neither the State nor businesses, such as religious bodies, cooperatives, associations and non-governmental organisations.
Source A makes two claims. First, pluralism produces social cohesion and peace when every citizen is included and can participate. Second, development is wider than economic growth: it includes "intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual" life. So the role of pluralism in development is not only about money. Figure 2 traces four paths.
| Form of pluralism | What Rwanda does | Contribution to development |
|---|---|---|
| Linguistic | Four official languages: Kinyarwanda, English and French (Constitution, Article 8), and Kiswahili (Organic Law N° 02 of 2017) | Rwanda joined the East African Community in 2007, whose founding treaty asks partner states to adopt Kiswahili; it joined the Commonwealth in 2009 while remaining in the Francophonie. Its languages connect it to markets and partners on several continents. |
| Religious | Freedom of religion (Article 37); churches and Muslim organisations own many schools and health centres, run in partnership with the Government | Faith communities extend education and health care to places the State alone could not reach, and their leaders carry public-health and unity messages to their congregations. |
| Political | A multi-party system; parties may not be based on ethnic group, region or religion (Article 57); a Cabinet shared among parties | Political competition is channelled through institutions rather than through identity groups. |
| Cultural | Returnees from the diaspora in many countries, with their languages and skills | Skills, capital and contacts gained abroad flow into business, education and public service. |
Warning
Pluralism is a condition, not a guarantee. Do not write that diversity "causes" development. Many diverse countries are poor, and some homogeneous ones are rich. The argument is that pluralism, meaning inclusion, equal rights and dialogue, lets a diverse society avoid conflict and use the ideas and links its diversity offers.
Tip
Path, example, limit. For "explain the role of pluralism in development", give each role as a path (pluralism → effect → development), add a real example, and finish with one limit or condition. Three complete paths beat six one-line points.
Important
Discuss. Some argue that a country with one language and one culture develops faster because it is easier to govern. Using Switzerland, Rwanda and Source A, discuss whether they are right.
Practice
Sources and credits
Written by Ganzaa: Figure 2, the table, the analysis and the exercises.
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
