Senator Santorum’s comments have provoked sufficient retorts elsewhere. Suffice it to say, I have trouble with the concept of a limited constitutional government being pushed into bedroom policing without any compelling state interest other than that the behavior offends Mr. Santorum. Offense is not a compelling state interest. Even adultery, which arguably (and I do mean arguably) violates a contract, is rarely reason for bringing in the power of the state.
Far more interesting, however, is research showing the central role of tolerance— as distinguished from liking or approval — in the creation and maintenance of democratic institutions:
A society’s commitment to gender equality and sexual liberalization proves time and again to be the most reliable indicator of how strongly that society supports principles of tolerance and egalitarianism.
Employing the World Values Survey, this article delves into how views expressed toward egalitarianism between the genders, tolerance of homosexuality and similar marks of self-expression distinguish democratic from nondemocratic societies, not views held on the value of elections or political free speech.
In other words if tolerance as the hallmark of an enduring democratic society. Senator Santorum's lack thereof is the greater risk to our society. Membership in a society of over 250 million souls will test one's patience and one's beliefs, to be sure. (Mr. Santorum's remarks sorely have tested mine.) But that perhaps is the reason why tolerance is so essential: the need to recognize universal rights no matter how despicable you find the person holding them to be.
As an aside, read the article as it focuses on democracy and the Middle East.
Posted at April 25, 2003 02:22 PM