Debating Diversity is a highly original and controversial work which turns the
debate itself into a topic, and suggests that a major ‘problem’ of diversity may be
the way in which it is debated.
Based on empirical analysis of data taken from the context of ‘migrant policies’
in Belgium, Debating Diversity discusses the way in which ‘moderate’ voices in the
debate construct a powerful discourse of tolerance. This ‘tolerant’ discourse is
found in news reporting, policy statements, socio-scientific research reports and
government-sponsored antiracism campaigns and training programmes. Despite
the vast differences between this rhetoric of tolerance and the discourse of radical
racist and nationalist groups, a remarkable consistency is revealed. The authors
refer to this as ‘homogeneism’, a fundamental non-acceptance of diversity.
An intimate connection is shown between the Belgian debate and aspects of
wider European nationalist ideologies, and parallels are drawn with conclusions
of research on racism and nationalism throughout the world, particularly in France,
Germany, The Netherlands, the UK and the US.