“The state does not oppose the freedom of people to express their particular cultural attachments, but nor does it nurture such expression—rather [...] it responds with 'benign neglect' [....] The members of ethnic and national groups are protected against discrimination and prejudice, and they are free to maintain whatever part of their ethnic heritage or identity they wish, consistent with the rights of others. But their efforts are purely private, and it is not the place of public agencies to attach legal identities or disabilities to cultural membership or ethnic identity. This separation of state and ethnicity precludes any legal or governmental recognition of ethnic groups, or any use of ethnic criteria in the distribution of rights, resources, and duties.”
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Quote Analysis: Will Kymlicka on State and Ethnicity
In this passage, Will Kymlicka explores the state's stance toward cultural and ethnic identity, emphasizing a principle of neutrality paired with protection against discrimination. He argues that while individuals are free to express and maintain their ethnic heritage privately, the state deliberately refrains from actively promoting or legally recognizing ethnic identities. This “benign neglect” reflects a separation between ethnicity and government, where cultural membership does not influence the allocation of rights, resources, or duties. Kymlicka highlights a liberal framework aiming to balance cultural freedom with equality, ensuring that no ethnic group receives special status or disadvantages through state intervention, thus preventing identity-based legal distinctions.
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