Political Science vs. Theory on Tolerance: New Experiments Bridge the Divide

Tolerance has become central to many modern political debates despite stark differences between how theorists analyze it versus empirical work in political science.

This article offers an innovative approach by integrating recent theoretical insights with experimental research, challenging conventional liberal-democratic frameworks. It highlights three crucial dimensions that shape our understanding of tolerance:

• The objects being tolerated (e.g., religious groups vs. ethnic minorities)
• Potential societal responses to difference
• Different sources generating tolerant attitudes

Through carefully designed experiments rooted in historical disputes over religious conversion, this research demonstrates a significant 'convert effect'—a phenomenon where perceived differences from conversion appear less tolerable than those given or ascribed.

Our findings suggest broader applications across contemporary religious divides and secular political contexts. This work underscores the importance of greater dialogue between these fields while offering fresh perspectives on tolerance's complexities today.