We live in a world of at least 2,000 nationalities, 200 states and 20 nation-states (where the populations are more or less homogeneous). The doctrine of self-determination was one of the most powerful ideologies of the 20th century. The drive to self-determination by disaffected communities created major crises for the international community in Kosovo and East Timor last year, and could do so again in one or more of several ethnic and religious flash points around the world. There is thus an urgent need for successful multiculturalism in plural societies. Public policy must strive for a balance between the rights of individuals, the welfare of identity groups and the interests of the state.

The statement that a country is multicultural can be descriptive or evaluative. Descriptively, it refers to the demographic composition (ethnic, linguistic and religious) of the population. The dynamism and vigor of a multicultural society are reflected in its art, literature, education and other cultural indicators. Normatively, it entails the additional notion that multiculturalism is a good thing, that multicultural diversity should be fostered and encouraged and that it is a proper task of government to do so.

The need for multiculturalism arises where one political community embraces several cultural communities. Groups may not be equal, in fact, even when citizens are equal in law. The Aborigine is not functionally equal to the "average" Australian, nor the outcaste to the Brahmin in India.