Political Community and Toleration
Problem of Political Community
Toleration
Political Community
Definition: Political community encompasses the relationships among individuals and other citizens/residents.
Focus: Examines how people relate to one another, beyond their interactions with the government or state.
Community Perspective: Involves how individuals perceive their community, connections to others, unity factors, etc.
Shared Values: Understanding shared values, norms, cultures, beliefs, and symbols is crucial.
Agreement Necessity: Questions arise about the extent of agreement necessary among individuals.
Beliefs about State/Society: What beliefs must be held about the state and overall society?
Scope of Toleration: Discussion on what individuals do or do not tolerate within their community.
What is a Nation?
Fundamental Political Community: Nations are recognized as the most basic form of political community during the Modern Era of Political Thought.
Nation-States: They serve as the primary source for political organization and identity.
Nationality: Creates connections among citizens of the same nation.
Sovereignty and Self-Determination: Each nation is sovereign and entitled to self-determination.
Fixed Boundaries: Nations have established and fixed geographical boundaries.
Governance: Nation-states are expected to govern in the public interest.
Cultural vs. Political Entity Debate:
Cultural Argument: Some argue that a nation is primarily a cultural entity, defined by shared history, values, and traditions, rather than geography.
Political Argument: Others maintain that it is primarily a political entity defined by geographical territory and the political rights of its citizens.
Common Features of Nations: Nations usually share elements such as a common language, religion, tradition, and a historical consciousness.
Nationality & Immigration
Political Solidarity: National identity fosters political solidarity, cultural cohesion, and political unity.
Beliefs and Values: Shared nationality indicates what the political community believes, values, and how they self-identify historically.
Example: The American Dream exemplifies shared national identity.
Immigration Dynamics: People often immigrate from one nation to another.
Assimilation Expectations: Immigrants are generally expected to assimilate into their new communities, adopting the culture, language, values, and beliefs of their new home.
Naturalization Process: Immigrants often must undergo a naturalization process to gain full political rights and citizenship.
Cultural Tension: There exists a tension between assimilating into new cultures and maintaining one’s original culture and beliefs.
Concerns over Immigration: There are fears that excessive immigration could alter national cultural values and beliefs.
Transnational Communities
Definition: Transnational communities are those whose cultural identities, political allegiances, and psychological orientations transcend national borders.
Terms: Often referred to as ‘deterritorialized nations’ or ‘global tribes’.
Examples: The Jewish diaspora is a noteworthy example of a transnational community.
Cultural Relations: Immigrants and exiles maintain connections to each other and their shared culture, despite geographic differences.
Building Ties: Members of transnational communities can connect with others from the same group, forming social, economic, and political ties.
Growth Factors: The rise of transnational communities is supported by easier international travel and increased global commerce.
Toleration
Definition: Toleration primarily focuses on individual freedom and choice.
Ethical Ideal: In political thought, toleration represents an ethical ideal as well as a social principle aimed at personal autonomy.
Interaction Guidelines: Establishes standards for interacting with other individuals.
Clarification: Toleration does not equate to permission for any behavior.
Key Thinkers on Toleration:
John Locke: Advocated for individual rights and tolerance.
John Stuart Mill: Promoted the idea of toleration for societal progress.
Toleration’s Roots in Modern Thought
Sign of Progress: Toleration is viewed as an indicator of societal progress and development.
Prerequisite for Rights: It is seen as a prerequisite for individual rights and liberties.
Philosophical Foundation: Its roots lie in the Enlightenment and the human capacity for reasoning.
Historical Context: The Protestant Reformation initiated discussions regarding religious tolerance, eventually leading to political tolerance.
Locke’s Contribution: In "A Letter Concerning Toleration," Locke outlines distinct aspects of toleration.
Mill’s View on Toleration:
Deemed necessary for intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth.
Asserted that intolerance results in social conformity.
Stressed that toleration is essential for a healthy, liberal society.
Advocated for a “marketplace of ideas” wherein diverse thoughts lead to well-informed decisions.
Suggested that private matters should remain free from public interference.
Tolerance vs. Intolerance
Moral Good: Toleration is perceived as a moral good, representing qualities such as inclusivity, patience, forgiveness, and open-mindedness.
Nature of Intolerance: Intolerance reflects narrow-minded or backward thinking, potentially exhibiting prejudicial attributes.
Definition of Intolerance: Characterized by a refusal to accept others' views or actions and attempting to coerce changes through punitive measures.
Definition of Toleration: Described as the refusal to interfere in others’ lives despite opposing views and moral objections.
Forbearance: Toleration can be equated with forbearance in decision-making.
Key Quote: “Toleration exists when there is a capacity to impose one’s views but a deliberate refusal to do so” (Heywood & Chin, 218).
Interference Clarification: Toleration does not equate to complete non-interference; only persuasion as a form of interference is deemed acceptable.
Limits of Toleration
Scope of Acceptance: Individuals are not required to tolerate harm inflicted upon others.
Harmful Speech: Speech that may incite anxiety, alarm, or violence is not covered by the concept of toleration.
Offensive Expression: Certain expressions or speech may be deemed offensive or indecent.
Political Toleration Dilemma: Assessing whether limits can be imposed on the political expressions or positions of parties is complex.
Repression Backlash: Repression of minority viewpoints can lead to perceptions of intolerance, potentially counterproductive.
Difficulties in Establishing Limits: It is challenging to determine limits of toleration within a political community without the risk of the majority infringing on minority rights.
Coming Up:
Thursday Agenda:
Complete reading of Heywood & Chin, Chapter 9.
Read and discuss excerpts from Locke’s "A Letter Concerning Toleration."
Theoretical Analysis Paper Deadline: 11:59 PM, Friday, December 5.
Final Exam Details:
Date: Tuesday, December 16.
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM.
Location: Schaeffer 14.
Today's Objectives
Discuss Freedom of Speech.
Examine Freedom of Religion.
Analyze Locke’s "A Letter Concerning Toleration."
Freedom of Speech
First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Limitations on Free Speech:
Imminent Lawless Action: Speech inciting immediate lawless action may be restricted.
Defamation, Slander, & Libel: False statements harming reputation are limited.
Fighting Words: Speech provoking immediate violence may be prohibited.
Symbolic Speech: Often falls under protected speech.
Campaign Contributions: Often recognized as a form of speech or expression.
Censorship
Censorship Overview: Censorship can violate the ideals of toleration by limiting personal conduct and individual choices.
Morally Offensive Expression: Some expressions may be considered morally offensive and inappropriate for public display.
Hate Speech: Encompassed under the banner of harmful speech, potentially targeted for censorship.
Lack of Respect: Censorship can signal a lack of respect for diversity and minority positions regarding religion, sexual orientation, etc.
National Security: Censorship can involve keeping classified intelligence from public access.
Prior Restraint: A form of censorship that prevents speech before it occurs.
Gag Orders: Legal orders restricting information flow, often seen as intrusive.
Freedom of Religion
Establishment Clause: Prevents governmental establishment of a state-endorsed religion or favoritism towards a particular religious group.
Free Exercise Clause: Protects individuals’ rights to practice their religion without governmental interference in reasonable practices.
Limitations: While freedom of religion exists, individuals do not have the right to violate laws under the guise of religious beliefs.
First Amendment Rights: Provides both freedom of religion and freedom from religion, ensuring a balanced approach.
Locke, A Letter Concerning Toleration
Role of Religion and Government: Exploration of Locke’s views regarding the appropriate roles of religion and religious leaders in society compared to that of government.
Toleration Importance: Examination of how roles relate to the concept of toleration.
More from Locke on Toleration
Toleration Definition: Discussion on what toleration entails for individuals and religious leaders.
Limits of Religious Toleration: Analysis of contexts in which religious bodies may exercise intolerance.
Government Intolerance: Examination of circumstances under which a government can be intolerant.
Individual Intolerance: Assessment of when individuals can exhibit intolerance in society.