As globalisation and migration connect people from all corners of the world, societies are becoming more diverse than ever. This reality of
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-07-16
Introduction
As globalisation and migration connect people from all corners of the world, societies are becoming more diverse than ever. This reality of
multiculturalism—the presence of many different cultural or ethnic groups within a society—is a defining feature of the 21st century. It raises a fundamental question for any nation: how can people from vastly different backgrounds live together harmoniously? The answer often revolves around two competing ideas: assimilation and integration. This article will explore these two models for managing cultural diversity, their underlying philosophies, and their implications for both immigrants and the host society.
Learning objectives
After reading this article, you should be able to:
- Define multiculturalism and explain its main drivers.
- Clearly differentiate between the concepts of assimilation and integration.
- Explain the metaphors of the "melting pot" and the "salad bowl."
- Analyse the potential benefits and challenges of living in a multicultural society.
- Discuss the importance of intercultural dialogue for social cohesion.
Assimilation: The "Melting Pot" Model
Assimilation is a model of social cohesion where immigrants and minority groups are expected to adopt the culture, values, and language of the dominant group in their new country. Over time, their original cultural identity is expected to fade away as they become indistinguishable from the host population. The classic metaphor for this process is the "melting pot." In a melting pot, different ingredients (cultures) are added and heated together until they melt and merge into a single, new substance. The individual ingredients lose their original form to become part of a new, homogenous whole. …