Writes Xander Z. (U6th)
Attendees of the Senior Geography Society were presented today with an insightful talk on how immigration shapes culture and whether governments should limit migration to protect national traditions.
The talk opened with Karl Popper’s Paradox of Tolerance, highlighting the challenge of maintaining a tolerant society while managing conflicting cultural values. The audience were shown how immigration drives cultural transformation through examples such as the evolution of Christmas and the changing character of Shoreditch and Brick Lane, in London.
The presenters then explored cultural protectionism, contrasting arguments that globalisation erodes cultural identity with the view that culture is dynamic and enriched by exchange. Historical case studies were then explained, including Edo Japan, the Amish, and Canada’s bilingual policies. This showed how countries have approached cultural preservation in different ways and how these different paths taken have led to differing outcomes. The speakers then shifted to a key section, examining the tension between state policy and community traditions, referencing UK initiatives like the International Cultural Heritage Protection Programme and naturalisation processes.
The session concluded with the central question:
Do states have the right to limit immigration to protect cultural traditions?
Overall, this engaging talk encouraged us to think critically about identity, diversity, and the balance between openness and protection in modern societies.
