Pluralism in the social sciences

In the social sciences, pluralism is a guiding principle which is designed to permit the peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions and lifestyles. Unlike totalitarianism or particularism, pluralism acknowledges the diversity of interests and considers it legitimate for members of society to work for their realization, to represent them and to articulate them in a process of conflict and dialogue.

Pluralism is connected with the hope that the process of conflict and dialogue will lead to a definition and realization of the commin good that is best for all members of society. This implies that in a pluralistic framework, the common good is not given a priori. Instead, it can only be found out in and after the process of negotiation ( a posteriori) what the common good is.

Consequently, the common good does not coincide a priori with the position of any one group. Still, one group may eventually manage to establish its own view as the generally accepted view, but only as the result of the negotiation process within the pluralistic framework. This implies, that, as a general rule, the "operator" of a truly pluralistic framework, i.e. the state in a pluralistic society, must not be biased: it may not take sides with any one group, give undue privileges to one group or discriminate against another one.

Proponents of pluralism argue that this negotiation process is the best way to find the common good: Since everyone can participate in power and decision-making (and can claim part of the ownership of the results of exercising power) there can also be widespread participation and a greater feeling of commitment from society members, and therefore better outcomes. By contrast, an authoritarian or oligarchic society, where power is concentrated and decisions are made by few members, forestalls this possibilty.

For pluralism to function and to be successful in achieving the common good, all groups have to agree to a minimal consensus regarding both shared values, which tie the different groups to society, and shared rules which obtain in conflicts between the groups.

The most important value is that of mutual respect and tolerance which are necessary so different groups can coexist and interact without anyone being forced to assimilae to anyone else's position in the conflicts that will naturally arise out of diverging interests and positions. These conflicts can only be resolved durably by dialogue which leads to compromise and to mutual understanding.

As to the shared rules, the most important ones are those of non-violence and of sticking to the established rules, even if dialogue is of limited reach, the other groups are hard to understand and there is no compromise in sight.

In ultimate consequence, pluralism thus also implies the right for individuals to determine values and truths for themselves instead of being forced to follow the whole of society or, indeed, their own group.