Eric Kaufmann, Professor of Politics at Birkbeck, University of London, has written an interesting piece arguing that 'asymmetrical multiculturalism’ has generated the present right-wing populist blowback in Western countries.

According to Kaufmann:

"Right-wing populism and left-wing identity politics have risen in tandem since 2013. Why?

The connecting thread is the contradictions of multiculturalism, which encourage a “common enemy” form of minority identity while repressing even moderate expressions of majority identity. The former produces antagonistic identity politics on the left, while both contribute to populist blowback on the right.

...

In accepting the expanded definition of racism used by the multicultural Left, the political mainstream closed its eyes to popular demands for lower immigration, paving the way for Trump and Brexit. Liberals subsequently mobilized in response to populist extremism, and survey data show increased liberal support for multicultural tenets such as affirmative action and increased immigration. All of this has further fueled polarization and eroded the quality of government.

The contradictions of multiculturalism lie behind this. How? The desire to slow immigration stems, in large measure, from an expression of majority cultural self-interest. There is no question that some restrictionists are motivated by racism against outgroups and oppose intermarriage. But most are simply conservative: attached to their own group and wishing to conserve the country they knew growing up. These people don’t dislike racial minorities and are open to immigrants who wish to assimilate. Yet multiculturalism views this, like all expressions of majority identity, as racism."

Full piece: https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/02/populism-identity-politics-why-they-rise-in-tandem/

Kaufmann argues that we need to remove some of the taboos around immigration and demographic group interests and find a sensible compromise between cultural conservatives and diversity-seeking left-wingers and liberals. But is it too late?

Nothing new. Multiculturalism is a complete denial of the fact that all people prefer their on kind; this has nothing to do with 'racism' or thinking that one group is better than another. From the time of creation or evolution (whatever you believe in) people of different languages, appearances, religions and values have been been put (?) in different parts of the world. Darker skinned nearer the hot equator, lighter skinned further away from it. True or mythical, the story of Babel makes clear the natural order of things that idiotic social engineers have ruined.

It is too late to turn back. Multiculturalism and inappropriate immigration will be the main factor in the fall of Western civilization.

'Multiculturalism and inappropriate immigration will be the main factor in the fall of Western civilization.'

only partly so ttbn. The obsession with immorality, sexual perversion and the sexualisation of children has had major role. Academia and social engineers having lacked any character and demonise anyone who has. Islam/secularism and the left are cousins.

ttbn,
Anyone having trouble accepting your post better crawl back into their respective holes, namely Universities !

Bozic welcome, do not be confronted by the right of reality faction, your words are true even here
Just listened the the Senate sanctions on Faser Anning, he and the single green speaking in the debate, spoke of militant Muslims migrating as the reason the NZ murder took place
Think about that! on their knees in prayer, radicals?
I live just on the left of center ALP, active member
But am told here I am progressive left, all insults by grumpy old men
A center path must, and will, come to combat the extremes, neither one is worth supporting

Bozec,

With reference to the post of the person who misspells your pseudonym, and advises you not to “confronted by the right of reality faction”, I hope you will understand that we dreadful 'rightists’ have read your post and understood that you are merely passing on opinions of an academic. We will make comments about this information without making you personally accountable for it - as I'm sure you will understand - and whatever is said will have nothing to do with you personally or your beliefs. Unlike the poster in question, facts, opinions and subjects have nothing to do with politics. If we disagree with what you say we will say so, or simply not comment. We will not waffle on about about ourselves - as the poster in question always does when someone new turns up (he seems to think that he is the official greeter for OLO); and, also unlike him, we will simply give our opinions without whining about “grumpy old men” and anyone else who doesn't agree with us.

We wait to see if you will be a one shot blow-in or a regular poster.

runner,

Yes, we have certainly degenerated morally, just like the Romans. Perversion, dishonesty, politicians cheering on same-sex 'marriage’, contempt for traditional values, infanticide - you name it, we are close to the bottom of the barrel. But, I'm inclined to believe that all the rot is coming from the top down. Why would the hoi polloi care when our political class is bereft of values, standards and decency? All cultures are equal they say. Pig's bum they are - or were, until the Left started dragging Western culture down to the level of the rest.

individual,

It's not just the universities anymore. It starts in the kindergartens and, given the lefty churches, in Sunday school I would guess.

Hi all,

In posting this article, my intent was to highlight an interesting theory as to why our society (and other parts of the Anglosphere) are becoming so divided and polarised.

Promoting civil dialogue in an effort to find some common ground is the only way out of this. The alternative is an increasingly fractured society and a descent into full-blown tribalism.

What saddens me is that our political leaders have shown themselves either unable or unwilling to have these sort of 'big picture' discussions.

Bozic sorry about the miss spelling, stick around but know some of us are a little out of it
Another new poster,fare from the first, was mistreated because his views did not suit a few
Wade through the mud, good friendly folk post here too
You bring up a very true problem our world has, it is my view a center path is needed
I refuse to comment on unbalanced peoples posts

Hi Belly. You mentioned that you're an active ALP member so I'm curious to get your thoughts on this.

In bygone times, I probably would have been a Labor voter. But the party seems to have changed beyond recognition since the early 2000s. The party's embrace of victim-hierarchy identity politics is, in my view, toxic. So too is its embrace of endless high immigration, which only serves to enrich the big end of town by providing them with cheaper labour and more consumers.

I think British trade unionist and 'blue Labour' writer Paul Emery nails it here:

"There is a conspiracy of silence among labour movement leaders on the real impact of unrestricted immigration in working-class communities. It is their own version of ‘Don’t mention the war’, a symptom of the group-think that infects today’s Left from top to bottom. Most leaders and activists, comfortable in their own collective prejudices and with no experience of thinking critically or independently, are unable to comprehend that there might just be a credible alternative point of view on this issue – one that isn’t rooted in ‘dog whistle’ politics or ‘xenophobia’, but is perfectly commensurate with the traditions of democratic socialism and trade unionism."

https://unherd.com/2018/09/labours-conspiracy-silence-immigration/

How do grassroots ALP members feel about these type of issues?

ttbn, I'm happy to engage with anyone who values reason and decorum. :)

Bozec well first itis my view British Labour is far different than my Labor
Further left, its current leader my bring about a split
Labor fought its way out of the hands of the very left in the 60,s it had been a long fight
From its center unity faction,the right, we have the numbers and control most of the time
Just as the LNP has its awkward kids, right of reality, we have our very left unsure if they want us to win elections or have the best [the their mind] policies ever totally rejected by voters
My Labor needs true welfare reform,some return for benefits,tax reform, a true reform capturing the never pay any tax fraudsters, more in the future