Explain the link between multiculturalism and liberalism.

Firstly, one major link between the two would be their shared support for toleration, a central theme to both ideologies. Tolerance can loosely be interpreted as the acceptance of different, and often contradicting beliefs; even if one fundamentally disagrees with them. For example, this could lead Liberals to accept traditions that may occur in a multicultural society, such as the Halal slaughter of animals, not because they agree with it, but because they believe that it should be tolerated, a nuanced but vital difference. Moreover, this is a concept widely advanced within multiculturalism, in particular, Liberal Multiculturalists, by thinker like the UK Historian Isaiah Berlin, who see tolerance as one of the vital pieces of a successful multicultural society. This is because they believe that harmony across all cultures cannot exist without the acceptance, and often celebration of other beliefs. Resulting in their support of society wide tolerance, almost as a prerequisite of their entire ideological basis. Therefore, one could argue that a clear link between Liberalism and multiculturalism is their common support for the idea of toleration. As liberals would argue that in order to be free, it is necessary to be tolerant of others believes, as they should be of yours. In addition, another link between multiculturalism and Liberalism is one based around freedom, in particular positive freedom. This is an interpretation of the central liberal value, normally advanced by Modern Liberals such as John Rawls, that argues true freedom is the ability to master oneself, and be able to flourish to your full potential. This holds clear links to Will Kymlickas idea of minority rights, in particular representation rights. This is the belief that in order to be accurately represented in politics and business, minorities need to be advanced further, commonly interpreted as positive discrimination. This is because they believe that society has oppressed minorities so much, and such an attitude is ingrained into society, that the only solution to reverse it is to positively discriminate. This is hence linked to liberalism, as in like Modern Liberalism, multiculturalists believe that in order to achieve real representation, or freedom for that matter, it requires much more than to be left alone, meaning help, in most cases by an authority figure (such as the state). Hence, one could consequently link the two by highlighting their shared belief in that a removal of external force is insufficient to make real and lasting change.