uneasy relationships?

Abstract

Multicultural societies such as the UK typically claim to embrace a model of `participative', `inclusive' and `democratic' citizenship. In this article, I examine conceptions of participative citizenship, democracy and diversity and how they inter-relate in the citizenship education policymaking process in England. I illustrate that the dominant model of citizenship is `participatory', linked to the concept of democracy. However, `diversity' is not explicitly addressed within the participatory conception, nor in relation to democracy. I discuss some of the theoretical tensions between participation, democracy and diversity. Drawing on Young's (2000) concept of `deliberative democracy', I highlight two themes — the public—private sphere distinction, and `shared values' which are particularly pertinent in considering citizenship in ethnically and religiously diverse contexts. I conclude by proposing that citizenship education should focus on the process of inclusive communication and collective problem-solving, rather than a privileging of a substantive `common good' or `shared values'.