Monoculturalism

Last updated October 23, 2025

Monoculturalism is the policy or process of supporting, advocating, prioritising, or only allowing the expression of, a single culture usually associated with a certain social, ethnic, or religious group.^[1] It generally stems from beliefs within the dominant group that their cultural practices are superior to those of other, usually minority groups^[2] and is often related to the concept of ethnocentrism, which involves judging another culture based on the values and standards of one's own culture, though this is usually untrue if cultural nationalism is dominant, as opposed to ethno-nationalism.^[3] It may also involve the process of assimilation whereby other ethnic groups are expected to adopt the culture and practices of the dominant ethnic group. Monoculturalism, in the context of cultural diversity, is the opposite of multiculturalism.

Proponents of mono-culturalism can hold that belief for a wide variety of reasons, whether ethnic (as was the case in Nazi Germany, yugoslavia, and 1800s USA) religious (Holy Roman Empire, 1500s Spain, a large number of islamic nations today) national (french cultural imperialism, USSR monocultural efforts) or other reasons. Mono-culturalism is frequently associated with nationalism, conservative politics, and anti-immigration stances. Proponents of mono-culturalism in the western world often argue that democratic liberal values and the trust-based rules-based legal system is an inherently western system, and that western culture produces better quality of life for all members even those of other cultures. Mono-culturalism supporters in other parts of the world typically rely on nationalistic or ethnic or religious arguments about inherent superiority of their culture. Critics of mono-culturalism argue that there is no 'superior' culture, that mono-culturalism can cause discrimination and disenfranchise minority groups and lead to oppression, and that multi-cultural practices are more likely lead to a fairer society that is more responsive to the needs of all the various groups in it.

While monoculturalism has often been associated with ethnocentrism, they are very distinct from each other. Monoculturalism is the prioritisation of one cultures influence, while ethnocentrism is simply a framework for understanding other cultures.

Types of monoculturalism

Ethnocentric monoculturalism

Monoculturalism is often closely associated in popular discourse with ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is the practice of framing one's way of life as natural and valid, and applying that belief system to interpret the characteristics of other cultures.^[4] Ethnocentric monoculturalism is possibly the most widespread form of monoculturalism, as it is expressed to a certain degree in western monocultural movements, its dominant role in politics and foreign relations in many african states and parts of the middle east, and the perceived linkages between monoculture in China and suppression of minority ethnic groups. This is why monoculture is sometimes wrongly associated with racism.

Instances

In genocide

Many of the genocides practiced throughout history were based on ethnic supremacy. Ethnic supremacy is assumed by one group within a culture, following some distinct action by an external group or from one of the ethnic groups. With European intervention in places like Rwanda, social institutions worked to socially construct an ethnic inferiority, distinguishing the Hutus and Tutsis from one another and causing what would be one of the most horrific demonstrations of genocide in modern history.^[5]

A similar example to that of the Rwandan genocide was the ongoing civil war in Burma. The civil war spanned from a constitution that granted Burma their independence from the British Empire in which a group of leaders created conditions that did not involve many of Burma's ethnic minorities, and instigated a fight from them.^[6] Many of these ethnic minorities in Burma, including the Karen, have been significantly displaced by the military junta and placed into refugee camps in bordering nations. The remaining ethnic minorities have been living in poor conditions, and have been met by a variety of human rights abuses.^{[ citation needed ]}

In Africa

Race-based monoculturalism plays a major role in the politics of many african nations. The conflict in South Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda, and many other parts of Africa are race-based by common consensus. The civil strife in west africa, the congo basin, and the sahel region and South Africa may all be exacerbated by underlying racial tensions. The pre-colonial tribal system that was dominant in much of africa was based on race, with each tribe typically a monoculture but due to the large number of competing tribes certain areas were very ethnically diverse. Colonial administration prevented race-based conflict but may have deepened, through administrative districts and differential practices, the ethnic divisions. Ethnic Nationalism was often a driving force behind decolonisation and after independence this led to racial conflict in many african nations.

In Russia

Russian monoculturalism generally has taken the form of white superiority narratives. The russian government has frequently been accused of suppressing ethnic minorities ^[7] and throughout history russia has systematically discriminated against ethnic minorities. Russian empire, USSR, and the Russian Federation have all historically targeted non-white and non-russian ethnic groups. Monoculturalism has historically been promotd by the Russian government and this white ethnic nationalism has tended to accompany it. Russia encourages use of russian language among russians overseas and has been accused of deliberately removing language and culture of other ethnic groups from schools to encourage monoculture.

In China

China has historically, at least in its south-east regions, been a monoculture and a monogamous ethnicity. They are still broadly one ethnic group in south eastern regions and the chinese government has been accused of committing genocide against the ughyurs and of attempting cultural colonisation in former european districts. China defends this policy as part of 'reversing the century of humiliation inflicted upon it'. Chinese state media propagates ethnic nationalist and monocultural messages.

In history

Ethnic nationalism and monoculturalism were staples of nation-states in europe for centuries.

Religious Monoculture

Catholicism

Religious monoculture was the official and practiced policy in spanish americas and western europe during the middle ages. The spanish inquisition was one of the most extreme examples and a instance of religious genocide instigated by the catholic monarchy in spain.

Islam

Muslim nations have traditionally had a monoculture generally sanctioned or even enforced by the state. This is a feature of Islam that some scholars perceive to be due to the religions emphasis of ritual religious tradition and unity, and especially separation of the infidels and believers. In many modern islamic states like iran and saudi arabia there is a state-sponsored islamic monoculture. Many islamic states, like Indonesia and Jordan and Kuwait, have been described as religious monocultures.

Globalization

Globalization involves the free movement of goods, capital, services, people, technology and information throughout the world. It also involves the international integration of potentially very different countries through the adoption of the same or similar worldviews, ideologies, and other aspects of culture. American academic Anthony J. Marsella argues that this is monoculturalism on a grand scale.^[8] Potentially it could lead to the suppression and loss of different ethnic cultures on a global scale.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

↑ Monoculturalism, online Oxford dictionary
↑ Jackson, Y. Encyclopedia of Multicultural Psychology, p. 203
↑ Ethnocentrism, Ken Barger
↑ Jennifer F. Taylor. Ethnocentric Monoculturalism, Encyclopedia of Multicultural Psychology
↑ White, Kenneth R. "Scourge of Racism: Genocide in Rwanda". Journal of Black Studies. Vol. 39, No. 3 (Jan., 2009), pp. 471–472.
↑ "Tracking Genocide: Persecution of the Karen in Burma". Texas international law journal. Vol.: 48, Iss.: 1, p. 63, 10/01/2012.
↑
↑ Marsella, Anthony (2005). ""Hegemonic" Globalization and Cultural Diversity: The Risks of Global Monoculturalism" (PDF). Australian Mosaic. Issue 11 Number 13: 15–16.

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