Social Capital and Diversity

Dealing with the consequences of a rising ethnic and cultural diversity will most likely be among the major challenges of the 21st century, particularly in immigrant-receiving countries in Europe, North America, as well as Australia. The sharp increase in ethnic diversity has questioned the relevance of many structures, policies, and practices that were based on the premise of ethnic/cultural homogeneity of populations in such countries.
Based on several years of extensive research on this topic in Canada, this book offers an image, in which ethnic diversity is associated positively with social goods. In particular, the study reported here shows that Canada does not seem to have suffered from the rising diversity. The findings also suggest that the key element that can translate diversity into positive outcomes is an increased social interaction and not merely an inter-cultural understanding among people of diverse backgrounds.

Autorentext

The Author: Abdolmohammad Kazemipur received his education in Iran and later in Canada. He is now an associate-professor of sociology at the University of Lethbridge, Canada, and conducts research on two broad issues: the integration of ethnic minorities and immigrants in Canada; and the socio-cultural trends in Iran. His most recent books are: A New Poverty in Canada (2000), An Economic Sociology of Immigrant Life in Canada (2004), Social Capital in Iran (2005), and The Generation X: A Sociological Account of the Iranian Youth (2008).

Inhalt
Contents: Canada on the Global Map The Peaks and Valleys: Canada's Social Capital over Time A Close-up on the Concept: Dimensions of Social Capital Social Capital and Regional Diversity: The Provinces Social Capital and Immigration Status: Immigrants and the Native-born Trust and Diversity in Cities Trust and Immigrant Status Trust and Ethnicity: Culture Trust and Ethnicity: The Economic Factor Trust and Ethnicity: Social Interaction Trust and Religion The Voices Behind the Statistics.