BA English Literature with History Melanie Konzett
London, 2006
‘Multiculturalism is beneficial for the whole population of London.’ Discuss.
Britain’s imperial past, the labour shortages from the 1950s until the 1970s as well
as the immigration from other European Union countries are primarily responsible for
the large-scale foreign population in London (Koopmans and Statham 1999, pp. 652-
696). In the census of 2001, the city had a foreign population of roughly 40 %
(National Statistics 2006, online). This high percentage of foreigners requires cultural
openness, an acceptance of diversity and a removal of fear and intolerance. The aim
of this paper is to analyse the positive and negative effects of London’s cultural
diversity with a specific focus on economic and cultural issues.
London is one of the world’s major economic centers and has a leading role in
international finance. A further growth in business and population, which results in
increased job opportunities, is expected for the future. This results in a strong need of
additional human resources. For Daunton it is this need of laborer, which is partly
responsible for London’s broad mindedness and tolerance (Daunton 1996, p. 1214).
Furthermore, companies are able to recruit their employees from various
