British Multiculturalism and the Politics of Representation

Uses a fresh, poststructuralist approach to reconcile the theoretical and practical issues surrounding inclusion and exclusion - a rare example of how poststructuralism can speak to mainstream concerns and theory. Opens up debates and themes including Britishness, race, the nature and role of Islam in British society, homelessness and social justice. Case studies include public debates about the role of religion in British society; Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and David Cameron's contrasting versions of Britishness; and the Nick Hornby novel How to Be Good - most of which have never been covered in such detail before. Examines four high-profile legal cases about religious symbols and clothing in schools: The Queen on the application of Sarika Angel Watkins-Singh v.The Governing Body of Aberdare Girls' High School and Rhondda CynonTaf Unitary Authority', High Court, 2008. Playfoot (a minor), R (on the application of) v Millais School' High Court 2007. X v Y, High Court, 2007. Mandla and another v Dowell Lee and another', House of Lords, 1983.

Lasse Thomassen argues that the politics of inclusion and identity should be viewed as struggles over how these identities are represented. He centres this argument through careful analysis of cases from the last four decades of British multiculturalism.

Uses poststructuralist theory to connect inclusion, exclusion and identity, using real-world case studies from British culture, politics and law
Lasse Thomassen applies a fresh, poststructuralist approach to reconcile the theoretical and practical issues surrounding inclusion, exclusion and representation. He opens up debates and themes including Britishness, race, the nature and role of Islam in British society, homelessness and social justice.
Thomassenargues that the politics of inclusion and identity should be viewed as struggles over how these identitiesare represented. He develops this argument through careful analysis of cases from the last four decades of British multiculturalism, including public debates about the role of religion in British society, Gordon Brown and David Cameron's contrasting versions of Britishness, legal cases about religious symbols and clothing in schools, and the Nick Hornby novel How to Be Good.