Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard has criticised multi-culturalism, instead urging foreign nationals to adopt the values of the host nation
In conversation with Danny Kruger at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference, Howard said he has 'trouble' with the concept of multiculturalism
Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard has criticised multi-culturalism, instead urging foreign nationals to adopt the values of the host nation.
In conversation with Danny Kruger at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) Conference, Howard said nations should "celebrate" the things they have in common with those who move from other countries.
He told Kruger: "Multi-culturalism is a concept that I've always had a bit of trouble with.
"I take the view that if people want to emigrate to a country, it's on the basis that they adopt the values, practices and standards of that nation.
"And then they are entitled to have the post-citizenry respect of their culture without trying to create some kind of federation of tribes and cultures.
"You get into terrible trouble that way."
The former premier added: "I think one of the problems with multiculturalism is that we try too hard to institutionalise difference rather than celebrate what we have in common."
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"We don't want separation based on race or background. We want a natural acceptance.
"And this is a problem that the Americans are facing.
"I remember reading a book... and it said that for years after the Civil War the philosophy of a 'melting pot' was adhered to.
"But in more recent times, they started talking a lot more about the different tribes.
"And that was a mistake in America and that was a mistake here.".
Howard made the comments at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) Conference in London.
Arc was established as "an international community with a vision for a better world".
Addressing the conference on Monday, Tory MP Miriam Cates issued a stark warning over "economic stagnation" and "destabilizing mass immigration", both of which she said could result from the fertility decline seen by the West.
Meanwhile, Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson hit out at identity politics, claiming it is "tearing us apart".
Peterson said that "concerns about identity" will lead to a "pathway that's marked out by nothing but...self-serving hedonism".
He also used his speech to ask delegates: "How do we tilt the world uphill rather than downhill?", rejecting a declinist vision of the world.
