Seeking Unity in a Pluralistic World

This chapter highlights problems related to the contemporary world’s pluralistic nature, which has led to the rise of populist politics striving for unity. Although the fear of losing unity is not odd and unity in a pluralistic world is important, these populist attempts are dangerous. In the pursuit of unity, neglecting the implications of pluralism pointed out by multiculturalists is also inappropriate. It is therefore suggested that the most appropriate way to address the fact of pluralism is against the backdrop of political liberalism, which understands pluralism as a fact, not an inherent value. Despite political liberalism being the starting point, the weaknesses related to how it deals with pluralism are mentioned—specifically, the overly reductionist conception of the political community in which political power is exercised, which overlooks the character of the community’s structural arrangement.