Governance in Multicultural Societies: From Centralized State Control to Participatory Governance for Peace

Abstract

Conflicts in multicultural societies do not arise directly from ethnic, linguistic, or religious diversity. Rather, they stem from centralized governance structures that seek to impose unity through homogeneity, leading to the suppression of cultural identities and the marginalization of minority participation. Conceptual analysis and the synthesis of multicultural theories, together with relevant case studies, reveal the structural limitations of centralized states in managing diversity. The proposed approach emphasizes a transition toward participatory governance that recognizes diversity as a fundamental condition of contemporary societies. This approach is articulated through an integrated multicultural governance model for peace, which connects flexible governance structures, the protection of cultural identities, inclusive participation, and procedural justice in a coherent framework. Unity in multicultural societies thus emerges as an outcome of legitimacy and participation, rather than of control or forced assimilation.