Burka ban and liberalism
Where we stand on the issue may reflect the divide that political philosopher William Galston identifies between Reformation liberalism and Enlightenment liberalism. Toleration, he argues, is at the heart of Reformation liberalism and we should extend toleration even to illiberal practices. By contrast, autonomy is the guiding value of Enlightenment liberalism, which embraces a more interventionist state.
In this case, toleration seems the more prudent course. Yes, there is something troubling about the burka. And, yes, we should scrutinise its merits through civilised debate. However, a ban raises as many problems as it may solve, about the appropriate limits of state power and the wellbeing of women behind the veil.
This is one issue where caution rather than doctrine should dictate our response.
-Jake
Related posts:
- Liberalism and the burqa
- Will Tariq Ramadan destroy liberalism?
- Islam between democracy and liberalism
- Australian public philosophy
- Not all choices are free
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[...] his May 1st post, Jake brought our attention to the plans under way in France to ban the full-face veil, or burqa and [...]