ERIC Identifier: ED458186
Publication Date: 2001-12-00
Author: Avery, Patricia G.
Source: ERIC Clearinghouse for
Social Studies/Social Science Education Bloomington IN.
Developing Political Tolerance. ERIC Digest.
Political tolerance is the willingness to extend basic rights and civil
liberties to persons and groups whose viewpoints differ from one's own. It is a
central tenet of a liberal democracy. The individual rights and freedoms that
U.S. citizens value encourage a wide array of ideas and beliefs, some of which
may offend segments of the population. The expression of those beliefs is
protected by another core democratic principle, that of majority rule with
respect for the rights of individuals or groups in the minority. Without
safeguards for the free expression of divergent opinions, we risk a tyranny of
the majority. In a free and open society, public deliberation exposes "bad"
ideas instead of suppressing them.
The protection of individuals' rights, including those of individuals we
dislike or with whom we strongly disagree, has often been a struggle in U.S.
society. Consider the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, the
interrogation of suspected American Communists in the 1950s, or the FBI files on
Vietnam War protesters. In each case, Americans tended to support the abnegation
of rights for unpopular minorities. Opposition to intolerance and support for
minority rights among the populace, however, can be developed through effective
teaching of political tolerance in elementary and secondary schools. This Digest
discusses (1) findings of research on political tolerance, (2) guidelines on
teaching for political tolerance, and (3) positive consequences of effective
teaching for political tolerance.
RESEARCH ON POLITICAL TOLERANCE.
For almost 50 years,
political scientists have tracked an interesting paradox in American attitudes:
over 90% of U.S. citizens profess a strong belief in democratic principles such
as freedom of speech and assembly. When asked whether they would be willing to
extend these rights to groups whose ideas they find deplorable, however,
typically only about one-third to one-half respond affirmatively. Although the
objects of U.S. intolerance have shifted over the years, the gap between support
for civil liberties in the abstract and support for granting civil liberties to
disliked groups has remained fairly constant.
Studies of adults indicate that psychological characteristics play a much
more important role in influencing tolerance levels than do traditional
demographic characteristics such as social status, income, and residence.
Individuals with higher self-esteem, who are less dogmatic and less
authoritarian, tend to better withstand the "threat" of ideas at odds with their
own. Level of education achieved also consistently predicts a person's level of
tolerance. Post-secondary educational experiences in particular may help people
become more comfortable with diverse beliefs. These experiences tend to increase
self-esteem and to lower dogmatism and authoritarianism (Sullivan, Piereson
& Marcus 1982).
Among adolescents, political tolerance tends to be associated with older age,
higher moral reasoning, higher empathy, and higher self-esteem. Tolerant
students tend to make connections between abstract democratic principles and
concrete situations, to take multiple perspectives, and to see alternative
solutions to problems. Intolerant students have difficulty relating principles
to practice or seeing beyond their own viewpoint. They tend to define problems
in absolutist terms, with clear "right" and "wrong" answers. Even tolerant
students, however, have difficulty moving beyond mere platitudes in explaining
the importance of democratic principles such as freedom of expression (e.g.,
"Freedom of expression is important because we live in a free country") (Avery
Secondary school experiences can increase students' level of political
tolerance, but their impact tends to be far less significant than that of
post-secondary experiences because while college instruction tends to highlight
divergent perspectives, secondary teachers and textbooks have traditionally
avoided conflict. A serious examination of the role of tolerance in a democracy
entails looking at extremist or unconventional political and social beliefs.
Teaching tolerance is thus inherently controversial; however, studies indicate
that when curricula are specifically designed to teach young people about the
role of tolerance in a democracy, levels of tolerance can increase (Avery, Bird,
Johnstone, Sullivan, & Thalhammer 1992; Goldenson 1978; Thalhammer, Wood,
Bird, Avery & Sullivan 1994).
GUIDELINES ON TEACHING FOR POLITICAL TOLERANCE.
research suggests the following guidelines about teaching for political
1. Examine the "slogans of democracy." The notion of "freedom of speech" may
be held as dear as "mom and apple pie" until it is extended to groups that
offend your core beliefs. What is freedom of speech? Why is it important in a
democratic society? Are there limits to freedom of speech? Who decides?
2. Make explicit connections between abstract civil liberties and concrete
situations. Students can explore the historical, psychological, and sociological
dimensions of intolerance through case studies. Why have some groups denied
rights to others? Why do people join these groups? What has been the short- and
long-term impact of intolerance on the perpetrator, the victim, and society?
3. Teach how individual rights are embedded in the U.S. Constitution. Young
people quickly learn the phrase "majority rule," but they are much less likely
to include "with respect for minority rights." Why is it particularly important
that the rights of individuals in the minority be protected? What are those
rights that deserve protection? Draw connections to the International
Declaration of Human Rights to show students that certain rights are recognized
as basic at the international level (Avery & Others 1993).
4. Differentiate between acknowledging a person's right to express dissident
views and approving of the person's views. There are many social and political
groups whose perspectives we would not want students to adopt. Students should
understand that they have the right to express their opposition to ideas with
which they disagree.
5. When teaching about tolerance for diversity of belief, it is particularly
important to use teaching and learning strategies that give students
opportunities to consider multiple perspectives, such as role plays,
simulations, and structured controversies. Without experiencing different
viewpoints in the classroom, students are unlikely to appreciate their value as
well as their complexity.
Although it is critical that issues related to tolerance be addressed in the
curriculum, it is just as important that students explore such issues in an open
classroom climate. It would be counterproductive to use case studies of
intolerance in a classroom environment that is itself intolerant of divergent
viewpoints. In three international studies, students' level of political
tolerance has been associated with their perception of an open classroom
climate, one in which they feel free and secure to express their ideas and
opinions (Hahn 1998; Nielson 1977; Torney-Purta, Lehmann, Oswald & Schulz
2001). It appears that when students see that their teachers are interested in
multiple perspectives, when they feel their own ideas are respected, and when
they regularly listen to different viewpoints, they are more tolerant of diverse
CONSEQUENCES OF EFFECTIVE TEACHING FOR POLITICAL
Taking a tolerant stance is one of the more difficult tasks
citizens face in a society. We are not born tolerant, but must learn to be
tolerant. Adolescence is potentially a very important time for the development
of political tolerance because during this period, most young people are
developing the capacity to apply abstract principles to concrete situations,
they have a heightened curiosity about social and political issues, and they are
keenly interested in their increasing rights and responsibilities as young
Social studies educators are charged with developing an enlightened
citizenry. Enlightened citizens do more than "lip-synch to the tune of
democracy." Enlightened citizens understand the role of tolerance in a
democratic society and are committed to practicing tolerance and respect for
minority rights (Thalhammer, Wood, Bird, Avery & Sullivan 1994). The
research suggests that adolescents can become enlightened citizens, but that it
will take much effort and ongoing commitment among social studies educators to
realize this goal.