Tolerance as a shared social value guarantees that we all can exercise our rights to life, liberty, and participation in the process of government. Without tolerance it is less likely that dissent, debate, negotiation, and compromise will happen. The right wing currently disparages tolerance as an excuse for relativistic thinking that undermines moral principles. Tolerance is more hard edged. It asks us to put aside our prejudices for the moment to do the essential work of governance we all need done so we can get on with our lives.
Tolerance grants the other person equal rights at a procedural level.
For democracy to work, we do not need to like the other person, their family, or their children. However, participating with them in the debates and negotiations that are so essential to our democracy make it more likely that we will transform mere tolerance into mutual respect. Behaviors that undermine this fundamental democratic value include language that demonizes people and groups, fosters a climate of racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, sexism, or xenophobia, that demeans those with disabilities, or that scapegoats minorities for problems for which they bear no responsibility. The right to dissent and debate, to be heard, is an essential value for democracy. Dissent and debate depend on the tolerance of others in the community, particularly the tolerance of those in leadership positions.