Abstract

Ethnic difference is an exciting and empowering idea for some who live in mixed communities. For others, the experience is the opposite: caused in large part by social and economic inequalities and inequitable access to a community's resources. Coiled within this reality are theories of public citizenship such as neo-liberalism, communitarian theory and deliberative democracy that attempt to manage ethnic difference through their respected frameworks. The impact of public citizenship theories to promote high levels of equity within the community is greeted with waning levels of success, especially when compared to targeted inclusionary strategies such as multiculturalism and assimilation. This essay will suggest that in spite of the efforts of public citizenship, greater attention should be placed to exploring the practicalities of employing inclusionary strategies guided by a human development approach, in the hopes of understanding its potential for improving the management of ethnic difference.