Beyond liberal multicultural toleration: A critical approach to groups' essentialism. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bessone, Magali
• Other Names: Zuolo Federico guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: European journal of political theory. Volume 12:Number 3(2013)
• Page Start: 271
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: Critical theory -- cultural group -- essentialism -- millet -- multiculturalism -- non-domination -- toleration; Political science -- Periodicals; Political science -- Europe -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1177/1474885112465245
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-8851

Abstract

The article will argue that, despite Will Kymlicka's claims to the contrary, the concept of 'multicultural toleration' implicitly entails an essentialist concept of groups, which amounts to holding a negative 'permission', power-loaded conception of toleration and not a positive liberal 'respect' conception. This seems contradictory to the general goal of Kymlicka's multiculturalism. This article will then argue that multicultural toleration is not a satisfactory concept, neither from a conceptual point of view (it is incoherent) nor from a practical point of view (it disregards important aspects of political life). Nonetheless, multiculturalism poses the question of toleration at the correct level of group relations . This article will try to sustain the double requirement of, on one hand, trying to place toleration in a collective frame and, on the other, refusing the essentialist concept of groups used by multiculturalism. The way out of this difficulty can be found in a critical 'non-domination' conception of toleration.