Rationales for Tolerating Antidemocrats

Abstract

This chapter examines three sets of justifications for tolerant democracy. The first set is based on the principles of equality, non-domination and value pluralism. Democracy must rely on fair procedures that recognise the equal freedom of all persons, or that ensure unimpeded competition for votes. The second set of justifications is premised on truth. Truth can be achieved through unlimited freedom of speech, processes of inclusive deliberation, or epistemic diversity. All would be undermined by practices of exclusion or repression. The third set of justifications claim that democratic participation has transformative effects: it incentivises antidemocratic actors to compromise and play by the rules. The many justifications for toleration reflect different strands of democratic theory and corresponding conceptions of democracy. However, they all assume that democracy’s enemies are ordinary challengers who should be included and treated according to the same norms and rules as other political actors, with no exceptions made.