Assessing Multiculturalism as a Behavioural Theory

Is multiculturalism, as an approach to addressing questions of ethnic and cultural diversity in contemporary society, based on solid social premises or faulty ones? Multiculturalism has various forms, but is generally presented as an alternative to “assimilation” approaches prevalent in the past. Multiculturalism as a social philosophy and as a policy suggests that, in an attempt to shape a cohesive society from diverse ethnic and cultural groups, it is better to recognize and value that diversity, and not seek to downplay diversity, or to cast all groups within one single cultural mould. But is this based on correct social theory?