Why I Believe in Political Pluralism
I believe in political pluralism.
Now, when I say “pluralism,” I mean the idea that we can have different types of people, with different views, contending for different ways of achieving the common good.
But the idea of living with differences of opinion is becoming less popular. In many places, political differences are deeper and more vitriolic than religious differences. Watch this clip from US comedian Bill Maher, who - with some vulgarity - drives this point home comically.
What has really influenced me over the years is legal philosopher John Inazu’s arguments for confident pluralism, which has deeply influenced my approaches to religion, secularism, law, democracy, and dealing with differences.
Some American conservatives condemn this view as David Frenchism, and decry the notion of pluralism, believing that nothing less than total right-wing hegemony and vanquishing all disagreement is acceptable. I call that a receipe for tyranny. Of course, some left-wing politicians and commentators are scarcely any better, ranting about the atmosphere of evil caused by the existence of Catholics and gender-critical feminists that purportedly makes them feel as if they are living in the Handmaid’s Tale, Nazi Germany, or - even worse - eating in a Chick-Fil-A restaurant.
Politically pluralistic liberal democracy has many benefits, including:
1. Protecting individual rights: Liberal democracies are designed to protect individual rights and freedoms, such as the right to free speech, the right to vote, and the right to worship as one chooses. This helps ensure that all members of society are able to express themselves and pursue their goals without fear of persecution.
2. Encouraging participation: Pluralistic democracies encourage participation from all members of society, regardless of their social or economic status. This helps ensure that all voices are heard and that policies are representative of the needs and desires of the entire population.
3. Promoting peaceful conflict resolution: Liberal democracies promote peaceful conflict resolution by providing a framework for resolving disputes through peaceful means, such as elections, negotiation, and mediation. This helps prevent violence and promotes stability.
4. Supporting economic growth: Liberal democracies are often associated with economic growth, as they encourage free trade, competition, and entrepreneurship. This helps create jobs and boost economic development.
5. Enhancing accountability: Pluralistic democracies hold elected officials and government institutions accountable to the people. This helps ensure that government policies are transparent and responsive to the needs of the people, and that corruption and abuse of power are minimized.
6. Religious Freedom: Liberal democracies generally protect the right to religious freedom and allow individuals to practice their religion or belief system without fear of persecution or discrimination. This is an important aspect of pluralistic democracy as it promotes tolerance and allows for diverse perspectives and ideas to coexist.
7. Judicial Independence: Liberal democracies promote judicial independence, meaning that the judiciary is free from political interference and has the authority to interpret the law without fear of retribution. This is important as it ensures that the rule of law is applied fairly and impartially, and that all citizens are treated equally under the law.
8. Rule of Law: The rule of law is a fundamental principle of liberal democracies, which means that no one, not even those in power, are above the law. This helps ensure that everyone is held accountable for their actions, regardless of their social or economic status, and promotes a fair and just society.
I’d rather live in a country with LGBTIQ parades than one where LGBTIQ people fear for their lives if seen in public. I also think we should remind people that the Soviet Union was a bad thing and that refugees are not fleeing to the socialist paradises of Cuba and Venezuela.
Liberal democracy is messy and conflictual, but it sure as hell is better than the alternatives.
Two podcasts that I find helpful, at least for learning about the US context, which seem balanced rather than partisan, are: Truth Over Tribe and Church Politics Podcast.
Good article. And in political pluralism a country truly ends up with what the people reflect as opposed to what a tyrant dictates. One must answer the question of some, however, why we are not to attempt to create in our day national theocracies such as Israel was in the Old Covenant.