Multicultural Jurisdictions

Is it possible for the state simultaneously to respect deep cultural differences and to protect the hard-won citizenship rights of vulnerable group members, particularly women? This book argues that it is not only theoretically needed, but also institutionally feasible. Rejecting prevalent normative and legal solutions to this ‘paradox of multicultural vulnerability’, Multicultural Jurisdictions develops a powerful argument for enhancement of the jurisdictional autonomy of religious and cultural minorities while at the same time providing viable legal-institutional solutions to the problem of sanctioned intra-group rights violation. This new ‘joint governance’ approach is guided by an innovative principle that strives for the reduction of injustice between minority groups and the wider society, together with the enhancement of justice within them. This book will interest students of political and social theory, law, religion, institutional design, as well as cultural and gender studies.

Author Biography

AYELET SHACHAR is Assistant Professor of Law in the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. She is also currently a Member at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton. She has written extensively on issues of contemporary political theory, group rights and gender equality. Her most recent publications appear in the Journal of Political Philosophy, Political Theory and the Harvard Civil Rights – Civil Liberties Law Review. She has also contributed to several edited volumes including Multicultural Questions (1999); Citizenship in Diverse Societies (2000); and From Migrants to Citizens (2000).