Philippe Legrain

Kenan Malik on the UK government's multicultural policies

Rather than appealing to Muslims as British citizens, with a variety of views and beliefs, politicians of all hues prefer to see them as people whose primary loyalty is to their faith and who can be engaged only by other Muslims. Should we be surprised then if, as a consequence, many Muslims come to see themselves as semi-detached Britons? Last week the government published Contest 2, its new anti-terrorism strategy. But it has still not understood the extent to which its own multicultural policies have helped fan the flames of Islamic radicalism.

Citizenship has no meaning if different classes of citizens are treated differently, whether through multicultural policies or through racism.

Read the full article in the Sunday Times.

In memory of Miró

Joan Miró, one of my favourite artists, died on Christmas Day 25 years ago.

Cultural globalization is not Americanization

"Listen man, I smoke, I snort ... I've been begging on the street since I was just a baby. I've cleaned windshields at stoplights. I've polished shoes, I've robbed, I've killed. ... I ain't no kid, no way. I'm a real man."