The call to tolerance: Duplicitous, dangerous and distancing

Abstract

The concept of tolerance is often proposed as a solution to conflicts and misunderstandings which arise in a diverse society. However, the ideological baggage which underlies the use of this term is generally overlooked, as are the consequences of applying it as a “fix all” strategy in societies struggling with division and discrimination. This article delves into the assumptions inherent in the concept of “tolerance” and the implications of putting it to work, as noted by both proponents and critics of the strategy. It notes, in particular, the difficulties involved in distinguishing between issues deemed appropriate to the application of tolerance and those not. Furthermore, it discusses the assumptions of inequality and power in the relationship between the tolerator and the tolerated as well as the tendency of “tolerance” to perpetuate schisms in society rather than bridge them. In these and other ways, the concept of tolerance functions ideologically and – when applied to discrimination on the basis of personhood – actually implies a validation of bias. Additionally, the ideology of tolerance displays a distinct Western/colonial bias and, in the application thereof, often serves to perpetuate the dominance of such discourses. Both theoretical and everyday interpretations of tolerance are considered, as are the ideologies which determine the actual “putting into practice” of the strategy. These thoughts are briefly applied to the South African context in which tolerance is often posited as the panacea to a society still struggling with the legacy of apartheid and racial/ethnic segregation.