The Paradox of Tolerance: How Cultural Relativism Can Enable Authoritarianism
December 3, 2025
The collapse of a free society typically happens gradually rather than through sudden events. Historical evidence shows that the erosion of liberty often results from well-intentioned ideas about justice, diversity, and anti-imperialism. This situation is captured by the “paradox of tolerance,” which asserts that unlimited tolerance can ultimately lead to the loss of tolerance itself.