PART I - Theoretical Background and Overview

Summary

Our opening section establishes the theoretical framework of the book. This first section provides background information, particularly in Chapter 1, and clarifies our model of decision making in Chapters 2 and 3.

Chapter 1 argues that political tolerance persists as a crucial dilemma in any democracy. As we mature, we identify with certain groups and may resist challenges by outgroups. Our partisan natures also leave us vulnerable to intolerant arguments. However, at least two factors moderate our intolerance. First, the individualism of American culture encourages us to separate our own identity from that of the group. Second, the diversity of our society requires us to interact with those who differ from us; in doing so, we are likely to learn that differences may be superficial. Chapter 1 introduces a major theme of our book, the centrality of emotions in how we understand the world.

In Chapter 2 we present our model of tolerance judgments. We posit that tolerance judgments (and perhaps other political decisions) result from three major influences: predispositions, such as personality; standing decisions, such as political attitudes about democratic principles; and contemporary information about the particular situation. Chapter 2 explores the roots of this theory in the symbolic politics literature before turning to a discussion of how previous research in political tolerance has informed our model of decision making.

Chapter 3 returns to emotion. We reject the presumption that tolerance judgments are essentially cognitive and suggest instead the importance of emotion.