‘Multiculturalism in Greece: A discussion on potential social and cultural gains of ethnic diversity within the framework of

national identity problematic’

Presentation prepared for

The 4th HO PhD Symposium on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus

Hellenic Observatory, European Institute, LSE

25 & 26 June 2009

Foteini Kalantzi

Ph.D Candidate

University of Macedonia, Greece

I. Introduction

• On Immigration

• European and Greek policies

• Greece’s transformation from mono-cultural to multi-cultural society

• Defining Multiculturalism

II. Immigration and multiculturalism in Greece

• Geo-political changes• Transition (new policies/different wording in

public sphere)• Greece’s coordination with EU policies• Demonising immigrants• Immigrants as the ‘Other’ – social identity theory• Cultural dilemmas• Nationalistic and extreme right-wing movements

III. Characteristics of Greek identity

1) Historical incidents

2) Religion

3) Homogeneity

4) Cultural forces

5) Socio-economic structure and economic situation

6) Need for Self-definition

IV. A Theoretical Note: Construction of national identity as

a social consensus • National identity as a collective identity differently perceived by those who are

members of the group, and by those who don’t belong in it.

• Human agent’s importance in constructing and reproducing social reality

• Constructivist and dynamic character of culture and identities

V. Multiculturalism as a challenge for Greek society

A. Considering: • Main characteristics of the Greek identity• Greek society’s need to come to terms with the

new social and cultural aspects • Society’s ability to continually negotiate

identities • Social groups construct their image on the basis

of the ‘Other’

B. Multiculturalism’s Potentiality

- Multiculturalism as a path for re-evaluation

- ‘Otherness’ and Greekness

- Overcoming historic psychological syndrome

- Cultural development

VI. Concluding Remarks

• When Greek identity becomes obsession nationalism

• Current challenges, like multiculturalism

• Every foreign element becomes a trigger for enrichment and renewal of the Greek self-conscience