Charles Taylor - Politics of recognition
Taylor, Charles (1992). Politics of recognition. In Multiculturalism and the politics of difference (pp. 25– 73), ed. Amy Gutmann. Princeton: Princeton University Press. 2nd edition ISBN: 9780691037790
In this well-known work, Taylor explores the philosophical foundations of multiculturalism and specifically the concept of recognition, which he sees as a central aspect of contemporary politics in liberal democracies. Taylor discusses the complexities of identity formation and argues that individuals and groups within a society seek recognition for their distinctive identities, without which they may feel marginalized, oppressed, and generally invalidated. Since such a situation leads to social and political tensions, it is crucial to conceptualize a politics of recognition. Taylor distinguishes between two kinds of such politics: universalist politics, which pleads for equal dignity, and politics of difference, which emphasises the significance of cultural and other particularities. The author is aware that the demand to recognize all differences as of equal worth is nonviable but argues that there should be a presumption of equal value and an open-minded approach to studying the features of different cultures that make up a society. In his view, a society aspiring to be multicultural should not merely tolerate diversity but actively affirm and accommodate different cultural, religious, and ethnic identities.
Charles Taylor “Politics of Recognition”