international journal on minority and group rights 25 (2018) 132-151 © koninklijke brill nv, leiden, 2018 | doi 10.1163/15718115-02501005 brill.com/ijgr Asymmetrical Recognition. Group Vulnerability and Group Rights, beyond Cultural Identities Fabio Macioce Professor of Philosophy of Law and Bioethics, lumsa University, Rome, Italy fmacioce@libero.it Abstract In this article, I argue for a strategy of accommodation of minorities that lowers the opposition between majority and minorities, and takes the concept of group vulner- ability into consideration. I argue for a demystification of cultural identities regarding legal disputes. Even if culture remains personally and socially crucial, it is considered only one factor among others. Then I analyse the concept of group vulnerability, and the role it can play in accommodating diversities. Finally, I discuss to what extent such a strategy may be interpreted as a form of asymmetrical reciprocity. This can profitably work for the accommodation of minorities in diverse societies by asking public insti- tutions to provide proof that the specific conditions and needs of vulnerable people have been considered, in order to appreciate the proportionality and reasonability of their choices. Keywords group vulnerability – multiculturalism – European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) – minorities – asymmetrical balance 1 Majority versus Minorities, in Times of Populism Policies of recognition, and more generally policies aimed at the accommo- dation of ethno-cultural minorities in diverse societies, have been criticized for many reasons. They have been perceived as too abstract and unconcerned about redistributive efforts to ameliorate social inequalities; as essentializing groups on too undetermined notions of culture; as being destined to undermine