Presenting Assimilation

This chapter presents assimilation, the historically dominant approach to diversity management. In some important respects, assimilation is in line with key trends in globalization (and opposed to deglobalization). A distinction is made between minority-assimilation and melting-pot assimilation. Supporters of assimilation argue that it has important benefits, such as resulting in a society where people are more similar to one another, enabling similarity-attraction to take effect on a societal scale. Also, it is argued that assimilation better prepares people to create and take part in a meritocracy, since everyone who is assimilated shares the same culture and language. Supporters also argue that assimilation results in a common shared group identity, and leads to a more cohesive and peaceful society. These social and psychological benefits, it is argued, result in a society that is more economically productive and political cohesive.