How did tolerance become an American value?

Political cartoon published in 1885 referencing a proposed bill that would have expanded religious influence in American public institutions. The figure on the left holds a shield with the word “tolerance” written on it. Image by J. Keppler via the Library of Congress. Public Domain.

There’s a lot of evidence that America is more divided than ever. Our politics, media, and ideologies are so polarized that it puts a stress on our unity as a country. But Dr. Denis Lacorne says that, in spite of that tension, America’s strength comes from our nation’s commitment to tolerance. The trick is figuring out the balance of tolerating the intolerant.

On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Karly Shepherd interviews Dr. Lacorne about his book The Limits of Tolerance. They explore the origins of the concept, and its impact on American culture. Note: this episode contains some mild language during a discussion of blasphemy.

Book: The Limits of Tolerance. Enlightenment Values and Religious Fanaticism

Guest: Dr. Denis Lacorne, senior research fellow at the Paris Institute of Political Studies 

Producer: Karly Shepherd

Music: Silas Bohen and Coleman Hamilton

Editors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman