Diversity or Balkanization?

A fragmented society of people polarized into separated group identities used to be called a “Balkanized” society, and the painful history of strife, bloodshed and atrocities in the Balkans stood as an example of how destructive that can be to all. But that was before the word “Balkanization” was replaced by the much nicer-sounding word “diversity,” from which all sorts of wonderful benefits have been assumed and incessantly proclaimed, without any empirical test of those claims.  This new and nicer-sounding word has also avoided having the painful history of the Balkans— and of similar places elsewhere around the world— being called to mind.

By “diversity” those who incessantly proclaim that word, and its presumed benefits, mean more than simply people with different cultures interacting. The word “diversity” is used to imply positive interactions, with benefits for the various participants and for society at large. But we cannot simply define our way into beneficial outcomes. Whether the promotion of separate identities— by race, sex or other characteristics— is beneficial or harmful in its consequences is an empirical question— and a question almost never confronted by apostles of “diversity.” The actual track record of promoting separate group identities, whether called “Balkanization” or “diversity,” has been appalling, in countries around the world.

Thomas Sowell, Discrimination and Disparities, pg.120