Economic Benefits of Ethnolinguistic Diversity: Implications for International Political Economy
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Economic Benefits of Ethnolinguistic Diversity: Implications for ...

Chapter 2:  Background
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That belief is not shared by the scholars who, on the contrary, perceive ethnic diversity as a benefit to the society.

Doran, in his book Why Canadian Unity Matters and Why Americans Care (2001), argued that ethnic diversity can constitute a political and economic benefit for a country. For that reason, as well as for the reasons of the benefits associated with a bigger size, it is advantageous for the multiethnic countries to remain united and heterogeneous.

According to Doran (2001), ethnic diversity lies at the heart of stability, productivity, and economic dynamism of a society. The interaction between people of different cultural origins breeds creativity, as well as broadens knowledge and perspectives. That, in turn, increases the openness to new ideas, to change, and to dialogue:

[C]ultural and political benefits flow from contact and intercommunication with individuals of different communal orientation as well. Cultural interaction among children and young adults broadens knowledge and perspective. Creativity flourishes. Self-awareness grows. The total output of productivity in many fields of endeavor is likely to be greater than in a more homogenous community. (p. 246)

Cultural diversity, according to Doran (2001), translates both into political and economic benefits. The political benefits include the strengthened capacity for honest government. The economic benefits include a greater opportunity for specialization, more innovation, and higher productivity:

Greater opportunity for specialization occurs in the larger community possessing a wider variety of culturally specific skills and aptitudes. Politically, the openness to new ideas, to change, and to dialogue strengthens the capacity for honest government. Local monopolies that quell innovation and change are less likely in a society composed of multiple ethnic and cultural communities than in those dominated by a few families of similar cultural outlook such as in some countries in the third world. (p. 247)