Pluralism (political philosophy)

When applied to issues pertaining to society in general, a plural system is one that accepts, tolerates, and engages with the existence of various differing positions and beliefs. In the arena of politics, pluralism refers to a society or state in which coexist several parties and ideology systems. This is of particular importance in very heterogeneous or diverse societies, although all societies present some level of heterogeneity. Political pluralism is concerned with issues such as the participation of all social groups in a democracy. Pluralism values and promotes the participation of different sectors and ideologies in electoral and decision-making processes pertaining to government. In other words, the interests and needs of all sectors in a society must be taken into account in the process of policymaking and social investment.

Brief History

Pluralism protects social, cultural, ideological, religious, and ethnic diversity. A pluralist state, then, does not represent a monopoly of one single social sector; rather, it builds its power based on dialogue and debate. The practices of critical thinking and dialogue are inherent to most philosophical notions of pluralism. In philosophy, pluralism is a metaphysical angle, that is, it is concerned with the nature and fundamental causes of things. As such, it is a worldview shaped by independent yet interrelated realities. This position is different from monism, which argues that there is only one single reality. Applied to religion, for example, pluralism would argue the notion that all religions are useful ways to reach God, and none is more valid than any other.

Pluralism is a position that accepts social and ideological diversity not only in politics and religion, but also in many other disciplines, such as constitutional law, economics, education, and ethics. In politics, however, it has become a well-developed philosophy, which considers that a democracy should reflect in a just manner its social and ideological diversity, regardless of class, gender, race, age, religion, sexuality, and other social categories. However, as many experts argue, impediments toward an authentic pluralism continue to exist in many societies, and include issues such as obstacles to democratic participation, lack of proportional representation, and profound socioeconomic differences.

Other experts argue that the intrinsic egoism or selfishness of human beings is one of the main factors in the development of social inequality and failure to achieve true pluralism in a society. The desire of groups in power to accumulate wealth and social capital at the expense of others is one of the most important roots of inequality. Therefore, many advanced democracies seek to regulate social goods and the market from a democratic and pluralist position, seeking to provide access for all to goods such as education and fair wages, as well as individual and civil rights. At the same time, these democratic imperatives are often swayed by the competition of interests from different sectors. Finally, the pluralist model is presented by many scholars as an alternative to radical extremes of both socialism and capitalism, while it has, to various extents, roots in both political philosophies and may be adapted to different types of political environments.

Overview

Concepts of pluralism have been documented since the ancient Greek philosophers, several of whom, such as Empedocles (490–430 BCE) and Democritus (450–370 BCE), supported pluralist notions. Ideas about the dignity and freedom of the human being have existed since the fifth century BCE; these concepts developed gradually in Western culture through the centuries, further shaped by religious wars and the eventual contact with different societies and cultures.

The idea of pluralism was further defended in the sixteenth century, and among its first advocates in the incipient modern era was Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592), who endorsed notions of pluralism as linked to religious freedom and the discovery of different cultures and traditions across the seas. In the colonies, some European powers sought to establish pluralism in the legal system; these societies were often ruled by complex overlapping and multiple legal systems, which incorporated and often protected—to some extent—the traditional legal systems of conquered peoples.

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Enlightenment philosophers furthered ideals that promoted respect and coexistence with peoples who held different beliefs and cultures. Therefore, pluralism, as a political concept, is considered by scholars as a Western idea, although it has notable equivalents in non-Western cultures and philosophies worldwide.

In the 1960s, pluralism became a movement that aimed to eradicate all instances of discriminatory behavior and language. It especially focused on discriminatory behavior against others due to differences in class, disability, gender, sexuality, race, and other such factors. In its extreme, pluralism promotes the idea that people from different cultures should not be reproached for any behavior that differs from the norm, regardless of how noxious or harmful it may seem to others. This notion has sometimes taken the form of extreme radicalism and of a radical form of political correctness. On the other hand, many contemporary experts consider that pluralism, tolerance, and diversity are threatened not only by discrimination as commonly understood, but also by fundamentalist movements and behaviors.

Pluralism today is understood not only in terms of social heterogeneity or diversity, but also in terms of engagement with others within the framework of diverse society or societies. In other words, diversity by itself does not automatically create pluralism. Pluralism also includes forming relationships between groups or sectors in a society. Such a relationship transcends simple toleration; it requires conscious efforts at engagement in learning and dialogue about those things that make us different, and those that we have in common. Pluralism, then, is based on actively seeking those opportunities for dialogue, debate, and self-criticism. It does not involve consensus among individuals or groups, but is an ongoing project of dialogue and understanding. Pluralism embraces a tolerant and open vision of democracy, and validates the existence of a diversity of peoples and interests, values, and cultures. It posits that true democracy grows from dialogue and the participation of different visions of what society should be.

Bibliography

Edwards, Michael. Civil Society. Cambridge: Polity, 2014. Print.

Lang, Sabine. NGOs, Civil Society and the Public Sphere. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2014. Print.

Levy, Jacob T. Rationalism, Pluralism and Freedom. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2015. Print.

Patel, Eboo. Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice, and the Promise of America. Boston: Beacon, 2012. Print.

Ross, Richard J., and Lauren Benton. Legal Pluralism and Empires, 1500–1850. New York: NYU P, 2013. Print.

Seligman, Adam B., and Robert P. Waller. Rethinking Pluralism: Ritual, Experience and Ambiguity. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2012. Print.

Smith, Malcolm C. Montaigne and Religious Freedom: The Dawn of Pluralism. Geneva: Libraire Droz, 1991. Print.

Walsh, Chris, and McKenzie, William. "Pluralism Is a Big Deal." George W. Bush Presidential Center, 16 Mar. 2023, www.bushcenter.org/publications/pluralism-is-a-big-deal. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.

Williams, John. Ethics, Diversity and World Politics: Saving Pluralism from Itself? Oxford: Oxford UP, 2015. Print.