Social Cohesion and the Struggle for Power in Diverse Societies

Abstract

This article critically examines Nils Holtug’s contribution to the debate on social cohesion within liberal democratic societies, particularly in response to the challenges posed by increasing immigration-driven diversity. More specifically, it focuses on his utilization of the social capital framework to solve the “progressive’s dilemma”. As a solution to this dilemma, Holtug proposes the promotion of an overarching identity grounded in shared liberal values, which he argues can concomitantly support diverse societies and robust welfare systems. However, the analysis presented here challenges Holtug’s framework on the grounds that it potentially overlooks power dynamics and existing social hierarchies, which can skew social cohesion processes and outcomes in favor of dominant groups. This paper contends that while Holtug’s model aims to enhance inclusivity and bridge social divides through social capital, it may inadvertently enable the perpetuation of inequalities by failing to critically address the underlying power structures that shape social cohesion. By focusing on the problems of invisible contributions and asymmetric relations, this paper advocates for a more nuanced understanding of social cohesion that incorporates a critical examination of power relations and democratizes the process of shaping shared values and norms in diverse societies.