Minorities in the Open Society: Prisoners of Ambivalence

Minorities in the Open Society (1986) challenges optimistic assumptions about race relations in western nations, revealing the double-binds created by dominant communities that offer equality with one hand while obstructing it with the other.

Format: Hardback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Minorities in the Open Society (1986) presents a critical examination of optimistic assumptions regarding race relations in Western nations, suggesting that social justice will not necessarily prevail without significant effort. The book delves into the underlying interests behind public assertions of commitment to integration and highlights the contradictory dynamics created for minorities by dominant communities, who offer equality in words but often obstruct it in practice. While individual members of minorities may be given opportunities for social prominence, these roles are often limited to performing specialized tasks on behalf of the majority.

The book explores various contemporary and historical examples to illustrate the double-binds faced by minorities. It highlights how dominant communities often perpetuate stereotypes, discrimination, and marginalization, while simultaneously claiming to support diversity and inclusion. Minorities are often forced to navigate a complex web of expectations and obligations, where their success is measured by how well they conform to the dominant culture.

Furthermore, the book challenges the notion that minorities can achieve social justice solely through individual efforts or by seeking assimilation into the dominant culture. It emphasizes the need for systemic changes, such as policies that promote equal access to education, employment, and housing, as well as efforts to combat discrimination and promote cultural understanding.

Minorities in the Open Society serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities and the importance of collective action and social change to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

Weight: 690g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032363110