Multicultural Bowling

Does diversity necessarily result in fragmented neighborhoods, which inevitability leads to anti-social behavior?

This research doesn't prove anything nearly so metaphysical about human nature. What it does suggest is that in any liberal society increasing access to state services is a value that will compete with opening borders. I became aware of this ten years ago from hearing a Vancouver liberal talk about how the influx of immigrants from Hong Kong and elsewhere was putting strains on BC's vigorous social welfare structure.

Unfortunately, while both values are progressive, they are not necessarily complementary and are sometimes are in conflict. Neither of these values are supported by conservatives, who tend to think everybody must do for themselves and who, in some cases, truly are racist. But this conflict of values does give a little validity to the idea of limousine liberals, not unlike when supporters of public education send their kids to private schools. Such gestures suggest an elite that knows what's good for the amorphous animal, the "people."

The solution is a global one. That is, the right to cross borders in search of economic security and the right to adequate shelter, adequate food, and adequate education must be guaranteed everywhere. When this happens, there will be no arguments about immigration coming at the cost of social cohesion.