Managing Diversity: From Exclusion to Inclusion and Valuing Difference

Abstract

In this chapter we point out why the management of diversity has become an important issue for armed forces today, as well as the uncomfortable dilemmas and challenges this brings to the force. We examine this with reference to the South African armed forces. This case captures many of the issues armed forces across the world face in terms of the integration of persons from different military, racial, cultural and religious backgrounds. Through this we highlight how issues of diversity are managed, the tensions it evokes as well as the effect on organizational effectiveness. How this affects interactions with other military contingents, the importance of understanding the cultural diversity of host countries and why there is a need to deploy troops who come from diverse backgrounds are deliberated. In closure, the different tensions around issues of exclusion, inclusion, differentiation and assimilation are highlighted.