Exploring cultural policies in Southern Europe from the lens of conviviality in contexts of super-diversity

• Published in: SN Social Sciences 2022-12, Vol.2 (12), Article 274
• Main Authors: Padilla, Beatriz, Olmos-Alcaraz, Antonia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Education; Linguistics; Psychology; Review Paper; Social Sciences
• ISSN: 2662-9283; 2662-9283
• DOI: 10.1007/s43545-022-00572-9

Considering some of the limitations that the most common theoretical tools present for explaining the functioning of cultural diversity, we examine the multiple possibilities of the combinations that some of these theoretical-methodological tools offer, namely, conviviality (Illich in Tools for conviviality. Harper & Row, New York, 1973; Gilroy in After empire: melancholia or convivial culture? Routledge, London, 2004) and super-diversity (Vertovec in Ethn Racial Stud 30(6):1024–1054, 2007). In previous work, we already conceptualized a dialogical relationship between these concepts and benefits they hold for our field of study (Padilla et al. in Ethn Rac Stud 4(38):621–635, 2015; Rev Andamios 36:15–41, 2018). Here, we trace the origin and meaning of these terms, to then present a more in-depth analysis that considers their pros and cons when applied. In particular, we include the ethnographic work carried out in the field of cultural policies that celebrate “cultural diversity” in two super-diverse cities in Southern Europe, Lisbon (Portugal) and Granada (Spain). The paper concludes with some final thoughts about how conviviality (as a holistic and relational concept that captures interactions among diverse subjects) and super-diversity (as an idea that conceives multiculturality in a more complex and not superficial manner) can be epistemically useful when considered together, complementing each other.