Overview

The question of toleration matters more than ever. The politics of the twenty-first century is replete with both the successes and, all too often, the failures of toleration. Yet a growing number of thinkers and practitioners have argued against toleration. Some believe that liberal democracies are better served by different principles, such as respect of, or recognition for, people's ways of life. Others argue that because the liberal state should be entirely neutral or indifferent towards people's ways of life, it can no longer be tolerant - it has no grounds on which it can object, and so there is nothing left to tolerate.Respecting Toleration provides a new, original, and provocative take on the question of toleration and its application to the politics of contemporary diversity. The volume demonstrates how toleration - despite its critics - is essential to any liberal political order. Peter Balint argues that from a conceptual viewpoint, toleration is entirely compatible with liberal politics; and from a normative viewpoint, it is utterly essential. The volume argues that if one cares about people living divergent lives, then it is liberal toleration that should be respected by legislators and policy makers, and not people's differences. It is a book that will shape the debate and demand a response from all who are interested in which political structures most fairly accommodate the competing ways of life that characterise contemporary diversity.Key Features:Develops a new framework of political tolerationProvides a clear demonstration and analysis of complex concepts and argumentsProvides extensive practical and theoretical examples

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9780198758594

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Reviews

The very idea of toleration is now under attack from some who applaud cultural diversity as well as those who seek to erase it. In this timely and compelling treatment, Peter Balint explains exactly why we need toleration more than ever. Respecting Toleration is essential reading for those who care about how to navigate troubled times while remaining true to basic liberal principles. John S. Dryzek, Centenary Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, University of Canberra Respecting Toleration is both thoughtful and provocative. It claims that liberal toleration well understood is capacious enough to accommodate a wide range of value- and identity-based differences. It invites scholars like myself to restrain from conferring too much normative weight to culture and conscience but calls in the same breath for more tolerant public norms and institutions. Those who disagree with Balint's claims but who understand the importance of engaging with the best counterarguments will definitely want to read his book. Jocelyn Maclure, Chaire La philosophie dans le monde actuel, Laval University Peter Balint's new book is admirably clear-sighted about the political valency of toleration, as well as about the distinct agency of citizens and the state in relation to it. Balint successfully avoids the rival lures of Machtpolitik and moralism as approaches to toleration. Aspects of the book will excite controversy, particularly regarding his view that toleration can encompass indifference. At the same time, Balint recognises that in practice indifference may often be the best we can realistically hope for, and be markedly less bad than any alternative.' Glen Newey - Professor of Practical Philosophy, University of Leiden

This short book makes many important points lucidly and concisely. Without going into the intricate details of theory, it is theoretically well-informed, and discusses many real-life examples instructively. It does not require forbearance-tolerance, but deserves great respect, even if this involves accommodating differences. * C.L. Ten, National University of Singapore, Australasian Journal of Philosophy * The very idea of toleration is now under attack from some who applaud cultural diversity as well as those who seek to erase it. In this timely and compelling treatment, Peter Balint explains exactly why we need toleration more than ever. Respecting Toleration is essential reading for those who care about how to navigate troubled times while remaining true to basic liberal principles. * John S. Dryzek, Centenary Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, University of Canberra * Respecting Toleration is both thoughtful and provocative. It claims that liberal toleration well understood is capacious enough to accommodate a wide range of value- and identity-based differences. It invites scholars like myself to restrain from conferring too much normative weight to culture and conscience but calls in the same breath for more tolerant public norms and institutions. Those who disagree with Balint's claims but who understand the importance of engaging with the best counterarguments will definitely want to read his book. * Jocelyn Maclure, Chaire La philosophie dans le monde actuel, Laval University * Peter Balint's new book is admirably clear-sighted about the political valency of toleration, as well as about the distinct agency of citizens and the state in relation to it. Balint successfully avoids the rival lures of Machtpolitik and moralism as approaches to toleration. Aspects of the book will excite controversy, particularly regarding his view that toleration can encompass indifference. At the same time, Balint recognises that in practice indifference may often be the best we can realistically hope for, and be markedly less bad than any alternative.' * Glen Newey - Professor of Practical Philosophy, University of Leiden *

Peter Balint's new book is admirably clear-sighted about the political valency of toleration, as well as about the distinct agency of citizens and the state in relation to it. Balint successfully avoids the rival lures of Machtpolitik and moralism as approaches to toleration. Aspects of the book will excite controversy, particularly regarding his view that toleration can encompass indifference. At the same time, Balint recognises that in practice indifference may often be the best we can realistically hope for, and be markedly less bad than any alternative.' * Glen Newey - Professor of Practical Philosophy, University of Leiden * Respecting Toleration is both thoughtful and provocative. It claims that liberal toleration well understood is capacious enough to accommodate a wide range of value- and identity-based differences. It invites scholars like myself to restrain from conferring too much normative weight to culture and conscience but calls in the same breath for more tolerant public norms and institutions. Those who disagree with Balint's claims but who understand the importance of engaging with the best counterarguments will definitely want to read his book. * Jocelyn Maclure, Chaire La philosophie dans le monde actuel, Laval University * The very idea of toleration is now under attack from some who applaud cultural diversity as well as those who seek to erase it. In this timely and compelling treatment, Peter Balint explains exactly why we need toleration more than ever. Respecting Toleration is essential reading for those who care about how to navigate troubled times while remaining true to basic liberal principles. * John S. Dryzek, Centenary Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, University of Canberra *

Author Information

Peter Balint is a Senior Lecturer and Head of International and Political Studies at the University of New South Wales in Canberra. He is a political theorist, and his current research focuses on the issues of diversity, inclusing toleration, respect, neutrality, and national identity. His previous works include Multiculturalism and the Fair Terms of Integration (co-edted with Sophie Guérard de Latour, Palgrave MacMillan, 2013).

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