Značaj i uloga tolerancije u demokratskom društvu
Importance and role of tolerance in democratic society

Author(s): Daliborka Uljarević
Subject(s): Political Theory, Politics and society, Sociology of Politics
Published by: Centar za građansko obrazovanje (CGO)
Keywords: democracy; society; tolerance; importance;
Summary/Abstract: Starting from the conviction that tolerance is complex and insufficiently explained, extremely important, even necessary social phenomenon, this work is an attempt to enlighten some of its parts through: defining the term of tolerance and its preconditions, with the emphasis on self-consciousness, responsibility, dialogue and democracy and overview of types of tolerance (with the admonishment that the text does not consider everything a complete classification covers, but only specific forms that are regarded as important for this work). Special attention was paid to the role of education in the process of building and cherishing the spirit of tolerance, but also the limits of tolerance, and an overview of tolerance in the society we live in. The message that is clearly stated in these segments is that tolerance is positive and needed. Naturally, the problems become noticeable as soon as it needs to be institutionalized and establish as a foundation of our everyday life and a condition for our progress. Thereat, we need to bear in mind that we are considering here so called active tolerance, which doesn’t consist of patience Locke talks about, but about a new quality based on development of trust. This kind of democracy, as a cultural value and high ethical model of human behaviour, should shape the modern society. Tolerance that strives to become the biggest accomplishment of human spirit, generally accepted moral standpoint and a life style. Proof that tolerance is recognised as important for further development of modern society is the fact that United Nations Organisation has upon the initiative of UNESCO, on its fiftieth birthday, proclaimed the year 1955 an International Year of tolerance. Tolerance as a principle of patience, acceptance of different opinion, belief or standpoint, principle of non-violence in confronting different opinions and attitudes, lives in us and our society after all, and it is important to underline it. Not to the ideal or desirable extent, but enough to encourage hope that better, bigger and more beautiful is possible. In the end, all of us, at one point or the other, are a minority and see the world in a different way. Since, for the others – we are the other.

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