multiculturalism
This term describes a social philosophy or a demographic reality where diverse ethnic and cultural identities coexist. It carries a strong connotation of active preservation and respect for distinct heritages, rather than the blending or erasure of differences. In political discourse, it is often contrasted with assimilation, where minorities are expected to adopt the dominant culture.
As an abstract concept and a social ideology, this noun is uncountable. It refers to a general state of being or a systemic approach to governance and social organization, meaning it cannot be pluralized or counted with numbers. To refer to specific instances or policies, one must use partitive constructions such as a form of multiculturalism or an example of multiculturalism.