The characteristics of a society, city etc. which has many different ethnic or national cultures mingling freely; political or social policies which support or encourage such coexistence. from 20th c.
1991, Barbara Ehrenreich, Time, 8 Apr 1991:Something had to replace the threat of communism, and at last a workable substitute is at hand. "Multiculturalism," as the new menace is known, has been denounced in the media recently as the new McCarthyism, the new fundamentalism, even the new totalitarianism -- take your choice.
2005, David Davis MP, Daily Telegraph, 3 Aug 2005:Britain has pursued a policy of multiculturalism - allowing people of different cultures to settle without expecting them to integrate into society.
2011, "On a mat and a prayer", The Economist, 7 Apr 2011:Earlier this year he said multiculturalism had “failedâ€, that immigrants needed to “melt†into French society, and that “we do not want ostentatious prayers in the street in France.â€
