ABSTRACT
This chapter considers some dangerous commonplaces about multiculturalism. It demonstrates that many democratic regimes in Europe are already characterized by a high degree of multiculturalism due to old minorities, and that traditional countries of immigration are often less multicultural than they claim. It argues that the deepening of multicultural features – at least in Europe – is due largely to demands and moves coming from old, and mostly rich, minorities. The chapter suggests that whereas the degree of multiculturalism promoted by the new poor immigrant minorities tends to be overestimated, multiculturalism promoted by high strata is underestimated. It examines in detail the current Italian situation. Northern culturalism, already transferred from society to political society, may change policies and institutions and eventually modify the very profile of Italian citizenship. The national composition of Italian immigration is extremely fragmented and many communities score around 1–2% of the total immigration.
