I.
Introduction
The discipline of political science has long regarded the study of political tolerance
as compelling. Indeed, scholars have frequently examined the questions surrounding
tolerance decision-making, arguing that “tolerance is the pivotal dilemma of democracy in
a pluralistic society.”
Indeed, it is the free exchange of the complementing, even
conflicting, views inherent in pluralism that forms the cornerstone of American
democracy.
Yet, in order for the free exchange of ideas to occur, citizens must be able to
engage in public speech, to associate with a group supportive of a particular view, and to
participate in a public demonstration. In order to assure these rights, individual citizens
must practice tolerance even when confronted with speech from another citizen that may
seem illogical, contradictory or even offensive to his or her own beliefs. In this way, the
concept of political tolerance measures the willingness of the citizenry to accept the
principle that a free society requires permission for all citizens, even those whose views
the majority would find repellent, to be able to speak, publish, demonstrate and associate.
This research project seeks to conduct a preliminary examination of the effect of
threatening information with respect to terrorism on levels of adherence to the ideals of
political tolerance. Does exposure to threat undermine support for core democratic
principles, such as tolerance? Since September 11, 2001, American leaders have
cautioned against allowing anxiety to force alterations in the American way of life for fear
of granting an additional cultural victory to terrorists. Courts, scholars, and citizens alike
have scrutinized and debated the constitutional propriety of security and law enforcement
2
See id. at 3.
3
Convention