From Interculturality to Coexistence: Towards a New Societal Paradigm

Abstract

This article analyzes the evolution from interculturality to coexistence paradigms through interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks incorporating Mouffe's agonistic pluralism, Bhabha's third space theory, and Gilroy's conviviality concept. Using mixed-method methodology combining systematic literature review with comparative case studies of four policy contexts (Council of Europe's "Intercultural Cities," UK community cohesion, Barcelona's intercultural mediation, and Melilla's "convivencia"), we conducted document analysis, 28 semi-structured interviews, and participant observations analyzed through grounded theory. Findings reveal that while interculturality builds cultural bridges, coexistence offers a more holistic framework recognizing inherent tensions in diversity while transforming them into constructive dynamics. Key results include evolution from cultural exchange to common space construction, explicit conflict recognition, and multi-level interventions. We propose a "transformative coexistence" model characterized by dynamic identities, agonistic pluralism, balanced difference recognition, structural attention, and relational ethics, informing policies for plural societies.