Chandran Kymlicka

Will Kymlicka is a Canadian political philosopher and well known for his work on multiculturalism. Chandran Kukathas is a Malaysian-born Australian political theorist, and is and known for his work in the same area. While both are major poltical thinkers and experts in their fields, they have vastly different opinions on the nature of liberalism in modern society.

Kymlicka states liberalism is related to the enactment of justice within a community in regards to the systemic disadvantages certain groups of people experience. These disadvantages which occur as a result of flaws within a system of government or society make it difficult for certain groups of people to be “equal” to others in society. His account declares liberal principles of

By Kukathas’ definition, liberalism is the freedom from oppression, or the freedom to do as one pleases, and has nothing to do with the active promotion of one or any group. He states the best liberal government, in essence, does nothing at all. As soon as the government gets involved in the interests of different groups and the promotion of certain qualities, the ideals of the government no longer align with the ideals of true

An example of this assimilation is seen in the UK’s government-funded program to teach people from other cultures English so they are able to communicate more easily in the host society-a society that speaks English. Someone who doesn’t speak English is immediately put at a systemic disadvantage compared to someone who does simply because they do not speak the primary language of the society they live in. Kymlicka’s solutions based on special needs makes it easier for individuals coming from different cultures to join in the host society, allowing them to participate and instigate economic and cultural growth. Kymlicka’s definition of liberalism advances society through the improvement of the individual, by giving people extra help so they can function as equals in