Socio-cultural analysis of the interaction between secularism(laïcité) and multiculturalism in France

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

France has historically been a country executing centralizing characteristicsand policies, notably adopting a long-term centralized administrative systemthat concentrates national power and decisions within the central government.This centralized regime has restricted the powers of regional and local autonomy,ensuring consistency in the implementation of national policies and legislation,as well as regulation. This centralizing structure has historically contributedto the strengthening of France's national identity and integration. Since theRevolution and the 19th century, the correlation between the politics of secularismand multicultural policy in France has demonstrated complex characteristicswhile including conflicting aspects. Both policies reflect the task of balancingsocial diversity and national identity in France, and they interact or conflictaccording to their distinct aims and principles. Furthermore, the historicalcentralist inclination and the multicultural policy appear antagonistic on thesurface, but in reality they expose various forms of social and cultural interaction,of varying types, to form the diversity of French society. Secularism is basedon the policy of separation of Church and State. Established in 1905 by theLaw of Separation, it took shape to achieve the goal of forming a politicallyneutral state and restricting religious influence. As a result, concepts suchas ‘separation of state and religion’, ‘religious neutrality’ and ‘individual religiousfreedom’ took root in French society, influencing public policy, the educationsystem and the legal structure of the state. However, in contemporary society,as diversity becomes increasingly important, doubts and debates persist aboutthe application and scope of secularism. In particular, reflections and challengesconcerning how to reconcile the religious beliefs and culture of immigrantsand their children have become increasingly evident in recent times.On the other hand, multicultural policy aims to recognize and respect thediversity of French society, while enabling immigrants and their children tomaintain their cultural beliefs and identity within society. Multicultural policycan be implemented in various aspects such as education, language supportand the promotion of cultural diversity. Historically, like otherimmigrant-receiving countries, France also has a similar interaction betweenits history of centralized power and its multicultural policy. However, becauseof France's imperial and colonial history, conflicts and coexistence are evenmore marked. Policies that sometimes create tensions between religious freedomand democratic principles persist, making the situation even more complex.Today, France faces the task of maintaining a balance between secularismand multicultural policy more seriously than ever. At the same time, the Frenchgovernment and its citizens are continually seeking to strike a balance betweenthese two policies, rather than abandoning one in favor of the other. Thisis because this balance is seen as crucial to social cohesion, diversity managementand national security.France is striving to strike a balance between secularism and multiculturalpolicy, and to find solutions to this challenge. In doing so, France believesit is important to maintain a balance between these two policies, rather thansacrificing one at the expense of the other. In doing so, it seeks to developstrategies that simultaneously guarantee social integration, the managementof diversity, and national security and stability. Ultimately, the success ofboth policies rests on a national policy and popular will to harmonize theinteraction between secularism and multicultural policy, continuing to developan equitable and effective approach that respects and integrates diverse culturesand religions. This orientation of France has a profound meaning for us too,for at the dawn of an era of shifting borders, the conflicts, coexistence andsurvival of heterogeneou...