the crisis of «mosaic» multiculturalism and deliberative model of democracy

This paper analyzes the main problems of the modern multicultural society, and identifies the negative aspects of multiculturalism, that lead to the crisis in a multiethnic state. Attention is drawn to the shortcomings of «mosaic» multiculturalism in C. Taylor and W. Kymlicka concepts. Attempts are made to analyze the misconception of culture as a stable integrity, and society as a conglomerate of monolithic units. The negative effects of multiculturalist mistakes such as social fragmentation and the substitution of personal identity with group membership are examined. Much attention is given to the theory of S. Benhabib which disclosed communicative nature of a society where culture is represented as a network of narratives with permeable boundaries. Especially noted the necessity of implementation the principles of the concept of deliberative democracy that would have realized a higher level of mutual understanding process and spontaneous selforganization of society. The key issue of the article is J rgen Habermas theory of deliberative democracy which is presented as a synthesis of the important elements of republican and liberal models, which can be smoothed out within the deliberative model. It is shown that the deliberative theory of democracy can be the most appropriate concepts in the circumstances of multi-layer pluralism.