The Dialectics of Cultural Pluralism and Social Cohesion: Response to Anne Sofie Roald and Theo W.A. de Wit

Abstract

Cultural (including religious) identity can be defined as a symbolic reality, implying that it is vague, fluid and impossible to delineate sharply, but at the same time essential. Although it comprises a lot of contingent elements, these identities cannot be completely reduced to contingent social constructions, since individuals, cultures, religions always stand for essential values. This implies that modern democracies not only have to respect religious pluralism, but should also create a public space in which these values are discussed and thus mediated in order to foster social cohesion.