Positive and Negative Versions of Liberalism

December 17, 2006

If there is any single word associated now with liberalism, I think it would be tolerance. It is a point of pride among self-identified liberals, who likely enjoy visiting the Museum of Tolerance. The word also is a finger on the crux of many hot issues. This is most obvious when it comes to the tolerance of varying lifestyles and identities.. The importance of tolerance is less obvious, but still important, when it comes to the question of abortion.. which is about tolerance for people who make a different moral decision, based on different values. The principle of tolerance will also tend to make one look carefully at another person's position.. and to then ask "What is motivating that person?" Inherent in that question is the conviction that this person is not simply "evil".. but should be given a chance to explain itself. Tolerance is a better word than "doubt" because tolerance does not betray anything about one's own convictions. What could possibly be a clearer and stronger virtue for a vibrant democracy than tolerance?

Since so many of the culture wars are fought on turf covered by tolerance, it is natural that liberals should elevate this value to a place of central importance. But tolerance is essentially a negative value.. it is a passionate allowance for others.. but not a positive program for living. In the midst of the continuing skirmishes of the culture wars, this negative liberalism is constantly reinforced.. while any positive program is pushed to the side.

What would a positive program look like? When I was young.. attending a private Christian grade school.. we had to memorize Bible verses for the different Christian virtues. There was patience, love, kindness, self-control.. You would be surprised how long the list went and how many colorful little banners I could bring home. If one is looking for a positive program of life.. one with actual recommendations for lifestyle choices and personal habits.. then one is mostly stuck with religious groups. That is not right.

Needed in America is a liberal movement that sets out a positive way of living. It would be open and inclusive to different lifestyles.. i.e. still tolerant.. but build a positive vision of life.. sketch out the values of a good life. As it is, it sometimes feels to me that liberals have given up the solid ground necessary for a critique of mainstream American culture. A liberal might excuse Britney Spears by saying: "that is simply another life choice.." Right there is where the principle of tolerance gets in the way of hewing a true life path.. We must speak out about what the good life is and is not.

Please don't imagine by this that I intend to limit the choices of Britney Spears or any other dedicated partier.. the liberal that I am imagining will have no impulse to control others. What I am getting at is a liberalism that works something like an ancient philosophical school.. the Stoics.. who were dedicated to living right in the midst of the Roman Empire. They had no qualms about discussing life choices and positive values. The point should be to work to define a common healthy lifestyle.. and eventually to find a way to build a community of such people.