Inclusion as Evolution and Strength: An Alternative View

A critical enquiry into the moral and philosophical basis against boundary-making in post-liberal societies

Tolling for the aching ones whose wounds cannot be nursed / For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones and worse.  - Bob Dylan "Chimes of Freedom"

And rest yourself ’neath the strength of strings / No voice can hope to hum. - Bob Dylan "Lay Down Your Weary Tune"

In contemporary political discourse, the concept of inclusion often finds itself under scrutiny. Critics argue that inclusion without boundaries leads to moral entropy and societal fragmentation. However, here, I offer some arguments that inclusion, far from being a surrender of values, represents an evolution of moral and civic strength.

Liberalism’s Moral Depth

Liberalism is frequently criticized for its emphasis on individual rights, which some interpret as a neglect of communal duties. Yet this dichotomy is misleading. Liberalism fosters civic duties such as participation, responsibility, and mutual respect. Philosophers like John Rawls and Martha Nussbaum have articulated a vision of liberal inclusion that demands engagement and justice, not passive permissiveness. Moreover, liberal universalism is grounded in human dignity, providing a moral foundation that has empowered civil rights movements to challenge unjust traditions.

The Misuse of Schmitt

Carl Schmitt’s friend-enemy distinction offers a compelling but dangerous framework for political identity. Historically, this binary logic has justified authoritarianism and exclusionary nationalism. Liberalism resists such framing not out of naïveté but from a recognition of the moral hazards inherent in defining identity through opposition. Pluralism, contrary to claims of fragility, thrives when institutions are robust and inclusion is paired with deliberation. Democracies such as the United States, Canada, and many European nations demonstrate that diversity can coexist with strong civic identity.

Tradition vs. Transformation

While thinkers like Roger Scruton and Alasdair MacIntyre rightly emphasize the value of tradition, it is essential to acknowledge that traditions can perpetuate injustice. Inclusion challenges traditions not to erase them but to refine them. Historical milestones such as the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, and LGBTQ+ rights emerged from this tension between tradition and transformation. Furthermore, models of hospitality need not be conditional. Radical hospitality, practiced in various faith and secular communities, welcomes without demanding assimilation, trusting in shared humanity over shared doctrine.

Inclusion as a Practice of Virtue

MacIntyre’s concept of "practices" underscores the importance of narrative unity within communities. However, this unity need not be exclusionary. Communities can embrace diverse voices while maintaining coherence—much like jazz, which is improvisational and plural yet deeply structured. Inclusion does not imply the abandonment of standards; rather, it calls for the co-creation of expectations rooted in democratic norms, human rights, and civic responsibility.

Boundary-Making Reimagined

Liberalism does not reject boundary-making; it redefines it. Boundaries should be negotiated through dialogue, not imposed through coercion. Inclusion fosters resilience through diversity, and tradition must be continually tested by justice. Persuasion and participation are more effective tools than coercion in maintaining social cohesion.

Conservative View	Liberal Counterpoint
Boundaries protect identity	Boundaries must be negotiated through dialogue
Inclusion erodes cohesion	Inclusion fosters resilience through diversity
Tradition is moral anchor	Tradition must be tested by justice
Coercion may be necessary	Persuasion and participation are stronger tools

Conclusion: Inclusion as Moral Maturity

Inclusion is often dismissed as sentiment unchecked by reason. Yet, when rightly understood, it embodies reasoned compassion. It is not the refusal to draw lines but the refusal to draw them in fear. A community that includes does not lose its soul; it discovers its depth. To include rightly, we must sometimes expand. Inclusion, therefore, is not erosion—it is evolution.

To include rightly, we must sometimes expand.

• A thought experiment produced with assistance of Co-Pilot AI