CONFIDENT PLURALISM
BY JOHN INAZU
VIRTUAL READING GROUP
APRIL 2019
Overview
The Center for the Study of Liberty returned to Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference by John Inazu for our second Virtual Reading Group of 2019.
After hosting Dr. Inazu (Washington University in St. Louis) for our Ideas at Work program, we invited attendees to join a 4-week discussion of his book to dive deeper into the concepts. We also opened up the group to our subscribers and the general public.
Participants joined a weekly call in Zoom video conference to explore big ideas and questions about how we can live together peacefully despite our differences. They highlighted the value of diverse perspectives and experiences to a free and flourishing society, but recognized the challenges inherent in communicating across divides and navigating disagreements in our public sphere. The book provided a framework for discussing the constitutional protections needed for a pluralistic society as well as the habits we can cultivate as citizens to help preserve peace and diversity.
Center executive director Jennifer Thompson moderated the discussion each week. She prompted the group to consider the "modest unity" we have as Americans, the role of the public forum, the prospects for civic aspirations like tolerance, and more.