History Assignment: Article Summary on Australian Multiculturalism

This assignment is a 400-word summary of Bastian's (2012) article, "Immigration, multiculturalism and the changing face of Australia." The article explores the challenges and complexities of multiculturalism within Australia, examining how immigrants from diverse backgrounds integrate into Australian society. Bastian discusses the historical context of immigration, from European colonization to contemporary issues, highlighting the evolving attitudes of Australians toward immigrants. The summary addresses the techniques used to incorporate immigrants, focusing on open-mindedness and acceptance. It analyzes the concept of identity, acculturation, and the balance needed for effective multiculturalism, as well as cultural distinctions and similarities. The article emphasizes the importance of intergroup contact to achieve integration rather than segregation, addressing prejudiced views that hinder understanding. The assignment aims to develop critical reading skills and concise expression of key ideas related to Australian society, following scholarly conventions.

Running head: AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD – ARTICLE SUMMARY
AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD – ARTICLE SUMMARY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD – ARTICLE SUMMARY
In the article “Immigration, multiculturalism and the changing face of Australia”, Bastian
(2012) sheds light on the issues that are faced by the Australian people in terms of the
multiculturalism that exists within the country. Bastian (2012) further argues on the several
techniques that are implemented by the concerned residents in order to incorporate the
immigrants of varied cultural backgrounds within the Australian culture and territories. These
techniques refer to the open-mindedness of the Australians and the acceptance of the immigrants
within the Australian territories. The article opens with the author reminiscing on the childhood
days when he had encountered the multiculturalism through interaction with the people who
belong to the varied cultural backgrounds. The article focusses on the increase in the tolerance
and the acceptability of the Australians towards the immigrants within the country. Bastian
(2012) in the given article attempts a discussion on the concept of the identity of the concerned
person. The article in discussion attempts to shed light in the issues that are presented among the
Australians in order to deal with the identity of the individuals who have been residing within the
Australian territorial boundaries. Bastian (2012) further discusses the process of the
acculturalization and that of immigration as is observed within the country of Australia. The
article discusses the ways in which the concerned governing bodies as well as the residents of the
country would be able to implement the fine line of balance that helps in the maintenance of the
effective and functional multiculturalism within the country.
Bastian (2012) throws further light on the issues that are related to the several distinctions
as well as the similarities that are presented within the cultural practices of both the Australians
as well as the immigrants to the country. The article states that the immigration activities have
been taking place in Australia since the times when it was colonized by the Europeans. The
article discusses the fact that the cultural factors that are maintained within the country are a

2AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD – ARTICLE SUMMARY
resultant of the merger among the various cultural practices that are maintained within the
country (Bastian, 2012). The article highlights the fact that the Australian society has been facing
issues that stem from the revelation of the differences in the cultural practices of the concerned
person. The majority of the issues find their basis on the prejudiced thoughts and beliefs that are
retained by a certain section of the society towards a concerned group of residents (Bastian,
2012). The article further states that “intergroup contact is critical to achieving integration rather
than segregation” (Bastian, 2012). The author states that prejudiced nature of the people often
bar them from gaining knowledge on the real facts thereby impairing both their knowledge and
judgment.

3AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD – ARTICLE SUMMARY
References
Bastian, B., (2012). Immigration, multiculturalism and the changing face of Australia. In Peace
psychology in Australia(pp. 55-70). Springer, Boston, MA.